First-trimester nutrition insights from the United Arab Emirate Birth Cohort Study (UAE-BCS): assessment of dietary intake, micronutrient profiles, and folic acid supplementation in Emirati Women.

Mutare S., Mohamad M., Feehan J., Cheikh Ismail L., Ali HI., Stojanovska L., Khair H., Shehab A., Ali R., Hwalla N., Kharroubi S., Hills A., Fernandes M., Al Neyadi S., Al Dhaheri AS.

Maternal health and nutrition in early pregnancy play a vital role in the growth and development of the foetus. During this time, macro and micronutrients contribute to nutritional programming, which helps form the foundations of the foetus's life course health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate dietary habits, macro and micronutrient intake, micronutrient status, and folic acid supplement adherence among Emirati pregnant women in their first trimester. Data were collected according to the UAE-BCS study protocol, which was set up to investigate maternal nutrition, health, child growth, and developmental outcomes within the first 1000 days. Pregnant Emirati women with singleton pregnancies within their first trimester of pregnancy (between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation) were enrolled. The 24-hour food recall method was administered to collect dietary intake. The maternal mean average age was 29 years. Participants had high adherence to supplementation during pregnancy compared to preconception. The mean energy intake was 1345kcal, and 56% of participants consumed saturated fats above the acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDR), while 94% consumed below AMDR for total fibre. The consumption of micronutrients was below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Biochemical results show a high prevalence of low haemoglobin (74%) and deficiencies in vitamin D (39%) and vitamin E (96%). There is a need for research into dietary patterns and influences in pregnant women in the UAE. Furthermore, investigations of knowledge practices and attitudes towards supplementation and the factors contributing to folic acid supplement use are needed to inform government strategies and interventions.

DOI

10.1017/jns.2025.11

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Nutr Sci

Publication Date

2025

Volume

14

Keywords

AMDR, acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, BMI, body mass index, Dietary intake, Early pregnancy, First trimester, Folic acid adherence, GDM, gestational diabetes mellitus, HPLC, high-performance liquid chromatography, ICP-OES, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, IDF, International Diabetes Federation, LBW, low birth weight, LGA, large for gestational age, MENA, Middle East and North Africa, Macronutrient intake, Maternal dietary habits, Micronutrient intake, NTDs, neural tube defects, RDA, recommended dietary allowance, SGA, small for gestational age, Supplement use, UAE, United Arab Emirates, UAE-BCS, United Arab Emirates Birth Cohort Study, UEAU, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates, WHO, World Health Organization, hbA1c, haemoglobin A1c (glycated haemoglobin, Humans, Female, United Arab Emirates, Pregnancy, Dietary Supplements, Folic Acid, Adult, Micronutrients, Pregnancy Trimester, First, Cohort Studies, Diet, Nutritional Status, Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Young Adult, Feeding Behavior, Energy Intake

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