Challenges in achieving adequate dietary status of women of reproductive age

Diet is well recognised as modifiable lifestyle parameter, influencing both - overall health, and risks for development of a number of non-communicable diseases. Nutritional status of women in their reproductive age is of special importance, due to strong link between mother’s nutritional status and health of her child. Because many pregnancies are unplanned, maintenance of optimal nutritional status throughout the reproductive years is essential to ensure normal foetal development. Although women of reproductive age are more at risk for anaemia and some micronutrients deficiencies than other groups, in Slovenia there is lack of reliable data on nutritional status of this population group. Available evidence is indicating some higher diet-related risks in women of reproductive age, in comparison to other population groups. In Slovenia adult women are also a sub-group with highest prevalence of following special dietary practices, such as vegetarianism and veganism, which could affect their intakes of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron and calcium. Consequently, those practices can have long-term effects on their health. For example, B12 deficiency could result in irreversible neurodegenerative disorders. Considering that special dietary practices of women of reproductive age could also have direct impact on child development, it is even more important to better identify diet related risks in this sub-groups. Key scientific challenges addressed in this applied research project are to investigate the dietary habits and nutritional status of women of reproductive age, to provide epidemiological data on the nutrient intakes this group (including intakes of key micronutrients) and investigate their relationship with various markers of health. Additionally, nutritional and health status of sub-groups of women following special dietary practices (vegetarian, vegan) will be investigated. Applying a highly multidisciplinary approach and building on previous research projects (EFSA/SI.Menu, SRA/Nutrihealth, SRA/NutriD), this project will address the following objectives: O1: To evaluate dietary behaviours of women of reproductive age (20-49 years) through representative sampling approach. This will enable identification of diet related risks in this group. O2: To determine dietary supplementation practices of women of reproductive age (20-49 years). This will allow us to better estimate intakes of specific nutrients, as supplements can be important dietary source of nutrients. O3: To investigate nutritional status of women of reproductive age (20-49 years) in Slovenia with a combination of validated standard dietary assessment methods and blood biomarkers. This will enable also insights in nutritional status for key micronutrients, including iron, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. O4: To investigate links between dietary behaviours with nutritional/health status, providing information about sub-populations with higher health risks. To enable this, population of omnivorous subjects will be compared with those on vegetarian and vegan diet. O5: To support policymakers with evidence needed for future decisions in the area of nutrition and public health. Project results will support future evidence-based recommendations and policy decisions, targeting women of reproductive age. We expect that the project results will notably improve progress in research in the areas of public health and nutrition, and provide epidemiological data, which will be indispensable not only for the creation of appropriate policies, but also for further research - particularly for identification of new links between nutrition, health and the development of non-communicable diseases.