Poster Presentation Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Conference 2026

The dietary intake in Australian females of reproductive age in the western suburbs of Melbourne (#125)

Deepti Nayyar 1 , Joanne M Said 2 3 , Helen McCarthy 1 , Deanne H Hryciw 4 , Lannie O'Keefe 1 , Andrew J McAinch 1
  1. Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
  2. Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Joan Kirner Women’s & Children’s Sunshine Hospital, Western Health, St Albans, Vic, Australia
  3. Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic, Australia
  4. School of Health, University of the Sunshine Coast, Petrie, Qld, Australia

Maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy is essential for healthy fetal development and pregnancy outcomes. However, studies show that many women of reproductive age have poor diet quality and inadequate nutrient intake. Aim: This study compares the dietary intake of macronutrients and micronutrients consumed during second and third trimester among pregnant women living in the western suburbs of Melbourne with the Australian Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs). Methods: A total of 275 pregnant women were recruited following informed consent. Dietary intake was assessed using 3-day food diaries collected during the second and third trimester of pregnancy along with an Australian Eating Survey (Heart version) food frequency questionnaire administered in the third trimester. Participants who did not complete any of the dietary assessments (n = 64) were excluded from analysis. Dietary data (n = 211) were used to evaluate habitual intake of macronutrients, and micronutrients. Nutrient intakes were then compared with the Australian NRVs to assess nutritional adequacy during pregnancy. Descriptive statistics, percentile distributions, one sample t – tests and paired t – tests were performed for macronutrients and micronutrients intake using SPSS. Results: Maternal dietary intake of carbohydrates, proteins, fat, alpha linoleic acid and dietary fibre were significantly below the level recommended by the Australian NRVs. In addition, the intake of micronutrients such as folate, iron, iodine, zinc, calcium, vitamin B1 and B12 were significantly below the Australian NRVs, indicating that maternal dietary intake did not meet current national nutritional recommendations. Conclusion: The findings of the current study highlight significant differences in macronutrients and micronutrients intake among pregnant women living in the western suburbs of Melbourne compared to the Australian NRVs.  These findings highlight the need for targeted nutritional education, policy intervention and culturally sensitive dietary guidance to ensure optimal pregnancy outcomes.