Maternal and infant body composition in relation to fish and meat intake during pregnancy - A randomized longitudinal dietary intervention study
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Introduction: Many women start their pregnancy at a high BMI and gain more weight than recommended during pregnancy, thus increasing the risk for severe pregnancy complications and children born large for gestational age. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids found in fish might have an effect on reducing obesity. Few studies have investigated the relation between fish intake and maternal and infant body composition. Aims: To determine whether the PONCH (Pregnancy Obesity Nutrition and Child Health) dietary intervention study had an impact on maternal dietary intake and to investigate body composition in mother and infant in relation to energy, meat and fish intake during pregnancy. Method: Normal weight (NW) and obese (OB) pregnant women were randomized to either a control or intervention group, the latter receiving dietary guidance. Study visits took place in each trimester with measurements of body composition by air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and collection of food frequency questionnaires. Infant anthropometry and body composition were measured (by ADP) at 1 and 12 weeks after birth. Results: NW and OB intervention groups reported an increased intake of high-fat fish between first and second trimester (increase of 118 g/week for NW, p<0.001, and 150 g/week for OB, p=0.015). OB intervention had a lower frequency of excessive gestational weight gain compared with OB control (23% versus 61%, p = 0.046). OB women with gestational weigh gain under or within recommendations reported higher intake of high-fat fish (198 g/week) than OB women with weight gain above recommendations (131 g/week) (p=0.049). Negative correlations were found between maternal high-fat fish intake and infant weight, length and fat free mass. Conclusion: This study shows that dietary guidance can help women increase their fish intake during pregnancy. Obese women with high fish intake during pregnancy more often gain weight within IOM recommendations. Moreover, intake of high fat fish during gestation is correlated with smaller children at birth.