Low Calcium Intake in High-Risk Pregnant Women: What are the Associated Factors?

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the dietary calcium intake in high-risk pregnant women and determine the factors associated with the adequacy of the calcium requirements.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was carried out with adult high-risk pregnant women, in the third trimester of pregnancy. Sociodemographic data, obstetric history, maternal comorbidity, pre-gestational body mass index were collected from medical records and three 24-h dietary recalls were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 125 pregnant women were included. The mean calcium intake was 652.76 ± 294.58 mg/day and 24.8% of women had adequate calcium intake. We found a correlation between low daily calcium intake (< 800 mg) with non-white pregnant women (p 0.017), and obesity (p = 0.010). Eating frequency demonstrated an inverse correlation with low daily calcium intake (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Dietary calcium intake was insufficiente for most high risk pregnant women in this study. Eating frequency was associated with improved calcium intake, while obesity and non-White race/ethnicity were risk factors for inadequate intake.