Table 1.
Dietary intake and lifestyle characteristics of women of reproductive age in the ALSWH and UK NDNS
| ALSWH1 | All women (N)2 | Preconception characteristics3 | |||||
| Survey1 | Survey 7 | Age at first birth (N,%) | |||||
| Age 18-23 (7863) |
Age 37-42 (6981) |
Age 18-25 (544, 17.4%) |
Age 26-30 (1293, 41.5%) |
Age 31-35 (1024, 32.8%) |
Age 36-42 (257, 8.2%) |
P-value4 | |
| BMI, mean (SD) | 22.8 (4.1) | 26.8 (6.4) | 23.4 (4.7) | 23.9 (4.4) | 24.3 (4.5) | 25.2 (5.6) | <0.0001 |
| Overweight/obese, % | 21.3 | 52.2 | 27.1 | 30.8 | 34.6 | 39.7 | 0.02 |
| F&V (<5 serves/day), % | 91.9 | 91.0 | .. | 91.9 | 92.5 | 86.5 | 0.13 |
| Physical activity (<30 mins/day), % | 38.8 | 45.0 | 52.0 | 38.9 | 34.4 | 41.9 | <0.0001 |
| Current smoker, % | 28.4 | 10.5 | 28.0 | 18.6 | 13.4 | 14.3 | <0.0001 |
| High risk alcohol intake* % | 5.3 | 6.9 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 4.9 | 7.1 | 0.008 |
| UK NDNS RP (2008/2012)5 | Non-pregnant women of reproductive age | ||||||
| Age at survey (N,%) | |||||||
| Total (N) (509) |
Age 18-25 (156, 32%) |
Age 26-30 (79, 19%) |
Age 31-35 (102, 18%) |
Age 36-42 (172, 31%) |
P-value4 | ||
| BMI (SD) | 26.0 (6.7) | 25.1 (5.4) | 25.3 (5.2) | 26.7 (6.2) | 27.7 (6.3) | 0.1 | |
| Overweight/obese, % | 49 (43, 54) | 41 (32, 51) | 40 (29, 53) | 49 (38, 60) | 62 (54, 70) | 0.004 | |
| F&V(<5 serves/day), % | 77 (73, 81) | 91 (84,95) | 70 (56, 80) | 70 (60, 79) | 72 (63, 79) | 0.003 | |
| Current smoker, % | 26 (22,30) | 33 (25, 43) | 22 (14, 33) | 20 (13, 29) | 24 (17, 31) | 0.2 | |
| High risk alcohol intake6, % (95% CIs) | 22 (18, 26) | 28 (19, 38) | 16 (9, 26) | 12 (7, 20) | 25 (19, 33) | 0.03 | |
| Vitamins | LNRI7 | Percentage (95%CIs) with diet only intakes below Lower Reference Nutrient Intakes (LRNIs) | |||||
| Vitamin A | 250 µg/d | 7 (5, 9) | 12 (8, 19) | 5 (5, 14) | 2 (1, 4) | 5 (3, 10) | 0.002 |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.0µg/d | 2 (1,3) | 4 (2, 8) | 0 | 1 (0, 3) | 1 (0, 6) | 0.1 |
| Folate | 100µg/d | 4 (3, 7) | 8 (4, 13) | 1 (0, 6) | 0 (0, 2) | 5 (2, 9) | 0.003 |
| Riboflavin | 0.8mg/d | 14 (11, 18) | 22 (15, 32) | 11 (6, 20) | 9 (5, 15) | 11 (7, 17) | 0.03 |
| Minerals | |||||||
| Calcium | 400mg/d8 | 9 (7, 12) | 13 (9, 20) | 6 (3, 14) | 6 (3, 12) | 9 (5, 14) | 0.2 |
| Iodine | 70µg/d | 15 (11, 19) | 22 (15, 31) | 13 (7, 23) | 7 (4, 14) | 11 (7, 18) | 0.02 |
| Iron | 8.0mg/d | 30 (25, 34) | 38 (29, 47) | 26 (17, 37) | 23 (16, 32) | 27 (21, 35) | 0.09 |
| Potassium | 2000mg/d | 29 (25, 34) | 41 (32, 51) | 26 (17, 38) | 19 (12, 28) | 25 (19, 33) | 0.003 |
| Selenium | 40µg/d | 51 (47, 56) | 57 (47, 66) | 37 (26, 49) | 52 (42, 62) | 54 (46, 61) | 0.08 |
| Zinc | 4mg/d | 4 (3, 7) | 6 (3, 11) | 3 (1, 9) | 4 (2, 9) | 4 (2, 9) | 0.7 |
The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH) is a population-based study of women born in 1973-78 who have been surveyed every 3-4 years since 1996 (age 18-23 years) [5]
All women including women who have not given birth
Preconception characteristics shown in the table were reported at the survey prior to the first pregnancy (up to three years).
For comparison across age groups
BMI = Body mass index, F&V = Fruit and vegetable consumption
UK National diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Program (NDNS RP) (2008/2012) years 1-4 [9]. Means (SD) and percentages (95%CIs) are weighted to provide nationally representative results.
Over 6 units of alcohol in one drinking occasion in the previous 7 days
Micronutrient Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI) are those recommended for the UK in COMA, 1991 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/547050/government__dietary_recommendations.pdf
LRNI Calcium is different for age 18 =450mg/d
Three or more standard drinks (10g alcohol) on 5 or more days per week