Abstract
Associations have been reported between suboptimal maternal vitamin E intake during
pregnancy and childhood asthma. This pilot study conducted in 2008/2009 investigated
the feasibility and acceptability of a food-based randomized controlled trial in pregnant
women to optimize dietary vitamin E intake to 15 mg/day. A food-based intervention
using “food exchanges” to individually optimize dietary vitamin E intake to 15 mg/day
was developed and included in an advice booklet. Forty-three pregnant women with a
personal/partner history of asthma were recruited at 12 weeks gestation and randomized
to food-based intervention or a control group until 20 weeks gestation. A registered
dietitian assessed the vitamin E intake of 22 women and provided tailored advice on
food-based exchanges to optimize their intake to 15 mg/day. The 21 control women were
not given dietary advice. The food-based intervention was completed by 19 women and
increased mean vitamin E intake: food diary data, 7.13 mg/day (95% confidence interval:
5.63 to 18.6) to 17.4 mg/day (95% confidence interval: 14.4 to 20.5) (P<0.001). This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of a food-exchange−based
intervention to optimize dietary vitamin E intake during pregnancy. Additional work
is required to determine whether this intervention, if sustained for the rest of pregnancy,
reduces the likelihood of childhood asthma. The methodology used in the design of
this novel food-based intervention could be transferred to other nutrients.
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Biography
J. Clark is a research dietitian, Public Health Nutrition Research Group, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
Biography
L. Craig is a research fellow, Public Health Nutrition Research Group, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
Biography
G. McNeill is a professor of public health nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
Biography
G. Devereux is a professor of respiratory medicine and an honorary consultant physician, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
Biography
N. Smith is a consultant obstetrician, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, UK
Biography
J. Norrie is a professor of clinical trials and biostatistics, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 19, 2011
Accepted:
July 19,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
