%ALee, Y. [Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Sciences University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia]%ACollins, C. [Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, School of Health Sciences Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia]%ASchumacher, T. [Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia, School of Medicine and Public Health Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, Department of Rural Health University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia]%AWeatherall, L. [Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia]%AKeogh, L. [Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia]%ASutherland, K. [Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia]%AGordon, A. [Charles Perkins Centre University of Sydney Australia]%ARae, K. [Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Sciences University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia, School of Medicine and Public Health Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, Department of Rural Health University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia, Priority Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia]%APringle, K. [Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Sciences University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Newcastle NSW Australia, Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre Faculty of Health and Medicine University of Newcastle Tamworth NSW Australia]%BJournal Name: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Journal Volume: 31; Journal Issue: 4; Related Information: CHORUS Timestamp: 2023-09-14 22:19:43 %D2018%IWiley-Blackwell %JJournal Name: Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics; Journal Volume: 31; Journal Issue: 4; Related Information: CHORUS Timestamp: 2023-09-14 22:19:43 %K %MOSTI ID: 10055254 %PMedium: X %TDisparities exist between the dietary intake of Indigenous Australian women during pregnancy and the Australian dietary guidelines: the Gomeroi gaaynggal study %XAbstract Background

Little is known about the adequacy of nutrient intakes and the overall diet quality of Indigenous Australian pregnant women. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to assess nutrient sufficiency and diet quality, as measured using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS), in pregnant women from theGomeroi gaaynggalcohort (n= 58).

Methods

Maternal dietary intake during pregnancy was assessed using the Australian Eating Survey Food Frequency Questionnaire, which was self‐administered in the third trimester. Diet quality was determined using theARFS. Food group servings and nutrient intakes were compared to the Australian Guide to Health Eating (AGHE) and Australian Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). The current analysis examined the adequacy of usual intakes from food sources only, excluding supplements.

Results

None of the women met allAGHEdaily food group serving recommendations. The highest alignment rates were for dairy (33%), meat/alternatives (31%) and vegetables (29.3%). Almost 93% of participants exceeded the recommended intake of energy‐dense, nutrient‐poor foods and percentage energy from saturated fat was high (15%). Of the five key nutrients for optimal reproductive health (folate, iron, calcium, zinc and fibre), the nutrients with the highest percentage of pregnant women achieving theNRVs were zinc (77.6%) and folate (68.9%), whereas iron was the lowest. Only one person achieved allNRVs (folate, iron, calcium, zinc and fibre) important in pregnancy. The medianARFSwas 28 points (maximum of 73).

Conclusions

Although the small cohort limits the generalisability of the findings of the present study, the data obtained indicate that the diets of these Indigenous pregnant women are inadequate. Therefore, strategies aiming to optimise nutrient intakes of Indigenous pregnant women are needed urgently.

%0Journal Article