Dietary intake of energy and nutrients in relation to resting energy expenditure and anthropometric parameters of Czech pregnant women

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary intake of energy and nutrients (DIEN) of Czech pregnant women and to assess relationships with body size variables during pregnancy. One hundred and fifty-two randomly recruited healthy pregnant Czech women, who were normoglycemic, euthyroid, nonsmokers, not anemic, and not users of chronic medications or abusers of alcohol or drugs from countryside and city with different education, were recruited for the study. Anthropometric parameters were measured and resting energy expenditure obtained by indirect calorimetry after 12 h of fasting during four phases of pregnancy. DIEN was evaluated from self-reported dietary intake records over 7 days. Positive correlations were demonstrated between measured resting energy expenditure and intake of energy, substrates and some minerals and vitamins, and negative correlations between DIEN and anthropometric parameters. Lower dietary intake of energy and differences between dietary intake of nutrients and recommended daily allowances during pregnancy of Czech women were documented. The difference between pregnancy body weight and ideal body weight was shown to be a determinant of DIEN. From recent knowledge on prevention of various pathological states, the supplementation or modification of nutritional intake of food with folate, iron, vitamin D, zinc, iodine and fiber for Czech pregnant women is recommended.