Maternal nutrition during mid-pregnancy and children's body composition at 7 years of age in the SELMA study

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy is vital for both maternal and child health. Our objective was to explore if prenatal diet is associated with children's height and body fat. Nutrient intake was assessed through a FFQ from 808 pregnant women and summarised to a nutrition index, 'My Nutrition Index' (MNI). The association with children's height and body fat (bioimpedance) was assessed with linear regression models. Secondary analysis was performed with BMI, trunk fat and skinfolds. Overall, higher MNI score was associated with greater height (beta = 0 center dot 47; (95 % CI 0 center dot 00, 0 center dot 94), among both sexes. Among boys, higher MNI was associated with 0 center dot 15 higher BMI z-scores, 0 center dot 12 body fat z-scores, 0 center dot 11 trunk fat z-scores, and larger triceps, and triceps + subscapular skinfolds (beta = 0 center dot 05 and beta = 0 center dot 06; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0 center dot 05). Among girls, the opposite associations were found with 0 center dot 12 lower trunk fat z-scores, and smaller subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds (beta = -0 center dot 07 and beta = -0 center dot 10; on the log2 scale) (P-value < 0 center dot 05). For skinfold measures, this would represent a +/- 1 center dot 0 millimetres difference. Unexpectedly, a prenatal diet in line with recommended nutrient intake was associated with higher measures of body fat for boys and opposite to girls at a pre-pubertal stage of development.