Nutrition in pregnancy in the Wellington region

The diets of 115 pregnant women in the Wellington region were assessed for nutrient intake using 24 h dietary recall. Assessment was performed in both the second and third trimester. Women came from three ethnic groups, European (61), Maori (29) and Pacific Islanders (25). Comparisons of nutrient intake were made between these groups. The overall energy intake was similar between the groups (range 4.8-19.7 MJ/d) but Maori (p less than 0.05) and Pacific Islanders (p less than 0.02) had a significant decrease in energy intake from second to third trimester. Pacific Islanders consumed significantly more starch (121 g/d, p less than 0.05) whereas Maori women consumed significantly more sucrose (86 g/d, p = 0.0002). The mean intake in Pacific Islanders contained significantly less calcium (882 mg/d, p = 0.0002) and zinc (9.0 mg/d, p = 0.014). Forty-four percent Europeans, 28% Maori and 51% Pacific Islanders had an estimated iron intake below the minimum safe intake for pregnancy. However dietary iron intake did not relate to the presence of anaemia nor whether iron supplements were given.