Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Dairy products are a rich source of many nutrients including calcium, vitamins A and D, and potassium; these micronutrients are among the nutrients underconsumed by pregnant women. The objective of this analysis was to examine nutrient intake adequacy from foods (including beverages) and dietary supplements among pregnant women in the US by level of dairy consumption. METHODS: Using data from pregnant women (n = 806) ages 20–44 years in the combined NHANES 2003–2016, usual intakes (UI) of micronutrients from food and dietary supplement sources were estimated by level of total reported dairy product consumption categorized as <1 (n = 244, 31%), 1 to <2 (n = 211, 28%), 2 to <3 (n = 144, 19%), and ≥3 (n = 207, 22%) cup equivalents per day (cup-eq/d). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation for dairy product consumption is 3 cup-eq/d. Usual intakes and prevalence of intakes below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for underconsumed nutrients (e.g., magnesium and vitamin A) and nutrients of public health concern (e.g., calcium, potassium, and vitamin D) were calculated using the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean consumption of dairy products among pregnant women was 2.0 ± 0.08 cup-eq/d, with 78% of pregnant women consuming less than the recommended 3 cup-eq/d. Compared to women consuming ≥3 cup-eq/d, women consuming <1 or 1 to <2 cup-eq/d of dairy products were more likely to have inadequate intakes of vitamin D (22% vs 56% and 22% vs 51%, respectively) and potassium (31% vs 81% and 31% vs 71%, respectively). Compared to women consuming ≥3 cup-eq/d of dairy products, women consuming <1 cup-eq/d were more likely to have inadequate intakes of calcium (<3% vs 43%). Pregnant women consuming ≥3 cup-eq/d of dairy products were less likely to have inadequate intakes of vitamin A and magnesium compared to women consuming the lowest levels of dairy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of dairy products among pregnant women is associated with increased prevalence of adequate intakes of select underconsumed micronutrients. FUNDING SOURCES: Dairy Management Inc.