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. 2008;52(4):272-80.
doi: 10.1159/000146274. Epub 2008 Jul 22.

Dietary supplements contribute substantially to the total nutrient intake in pregnant Norwegian women

Margaretha Haugen  1 , Anne Lise Brantsaeter, Jan Alexander, Helle Margrete Meltzer
Affiliations

Dietary supplements contribute substantially to the total nutrient intake in pregnant Norwegian women

Margaretha Haugen et al. Ann Nutr Metab. 2008.

Abstract

Background: Use of dietary supplements during pregnancy may give an important contribution to nutrient intake, and for nutrients like folate and vitamin D supplements are recommended. Our objective was to study use and contribution of dietary supplement to nutrient intake among women participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa).

Methods: This study is based on 40,108 women participating in MoBa which is conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The women had filled inversion 2 of the food frequency questionnaire in MoBa between February 2002 and February 2005.

Results: 81% reported use of one or more dietary supplements. The most commonly used category was cod liver oil/fish oil supplements (59%) followed by singular folic acid supplements (36%) and multivitamin/multimineral supplements (31%). The nutrient contribution of the dietary supplements varied from 65% for folate and vitamin D to 1% for potassium among supplement users. The dietary intake of vitamin D, folate, iodine and iron did not reach the Nordic Recommendations for pregnant women.

Conclusions: Use of supplements improved the intake of folate, iron and vitamin D, but not sufficiently to reach the recommended amounts.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
a Median intake of vitamins from diet and supplements in percentage of recommended intake among supplement users. b Median intake of minerals from diet and supplements in percentage of recommended intake among supplement users.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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