Preconception nutritional intake and lifestyle factors: first results of an explorative study.
To describe nutritional intake and lifestyle factors in women planning pregnancy. A semi-quantitative, 1-month food frequency questionnaire and a questionnaire on health practices and personal views were filled out at home and verified by telephone interview. One hundred and one women agreed to participate and data of 69 women were eligible for evaluation. Women planning pregnancy (n=46) consumed significantly more saturated fats and proteins, less carbohydrates and higher median intakes of Vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, selenium, magnesium and iron than controls (n=23; P<0.05). However, the percentage of women planning pregnancy with intakes below recommended dietary allowances was 74% for iron, 59% for selenium, 48% for Vitamin A and 91% for copper. Ninety-six percent and 20% of them reported alcohol use and smoking, respectively. Nutritional intake of women in the preconception period appears to be inadequate. Efforts to increase awareness of a healthy diet and lifestyle before and throughout pregnancy should be continued.