Association between fruit and vegetable consumption and birth weight: A prospective study among 43,585 Danish women

T.B. Mikkelsen, M. Osler, I. Orozova-Bekkevold, V.K. Knudsen, Sjurdur F. Olsen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract



Objective: To examine whether fruit and vegetable consumption in pregnancy is associated with birth weight in a Western population.

Design: Prospective cohort study based on telephone interviews, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and extractions of birth characteristics from national health registries.

Subjects and setting: The 43,585 Danish women from the Danish National Birth Cohort who had completed the FFQ in mid-pregnancy and on whom information about birth outcome was available. The exposures were frequency of green leafy vegetable (GLV) intake and quantified intake of fruit, fruit and vegetables, and fruit and vegetables and juice. The outcomes were birth weight and z-score for expected birth weight adjusted for sex and gestation week. Information on maternal height, weight, smoking, and other potential confounders was obtained through telephone interviews.

Results: Significant associations were found for all exposures to fruit and vegetable intake with birth weight and most with z-score. The strongest association was found for fruit intake in which case birth weight increased by 10.7 g (95% CI 7.3-14.2) per quintile. All associations were stronger among lean women (BMI
Conclusion: Fruit and vegetable consumption in pregnancy is positively associated with birth weight in well-nourished Danish women, especially among lean women.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)616-622
Number of pages7
JournalScandinavian journal of public health
Volume34
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Keywords

  • Danish National Birth Cohort
  • fruit consumption
  • vegetable consumption
  • green leafy vegetables
  • birth weight
  • pregnancy

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