First Trimester Nutrition Insights from the United Arab Emirates Birth Cohort Study (UAE-BCS): Assessment of Dietary Intake, Micronutrient Profiles and Folic Acid Supplementation in Emirati Women

Maternal health and nutrition in early pregnancy play a vital role in the growth and development of the fetus. During this time, macro and micronutrients contribute to nutritional programming, which helps form the foundations of the fetus’s life course health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate dietary habits, macro and micronutrient intake, micronutrient status, and folic acid supplement adherence among a sample of Emirati pregnant women in their first trimester. Data were collected according to the UAE-BCS study protocol, which was set up to investigate maternal nutrition, health, child growth, and developmental outcomes within the first 1000 days. Pregnant Emirati women with singleton pregnancies within their first trimester of pregnancy (between 8-12 weeks of gestation) were enrolled. The 24-hour food recall method was administered to collect dietary intake. The maternal mean average age was 28.5 years. Participants had high adherence to supplementation during pregnancy compared to preconception. The mean energy intake was 1344.5kcal, and 56.3% of participants consumed saturated fats above the acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDR), while 93.8% consumed below AMDR for total fibre. The consumption of micronutrients was below the dietary reference values (DRVs). Biochemical results show a high prevalence of low hemoglobin (74.1%) and deficiencies in vitamin D (38.9%) and vitamin E (96.3%). There is a need for research into dietary patterns and influences in pregnant women in the UAE. Furthermore, investigations of knowledge practices and attitudes towards supplementation and the factors contributing to folic acid supplement use are needed to inform government strategies and interventions.