Understanding Fish Consumption Habits During Pregnancy

A Qualitative Study of Fish Consumption During Pregnancy

Many pregnant women in the US do not consume enough docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential nutrient found in fish. Apparently conflicting findings that fish consumption is beneficial for the developing fetus, yet potentially toxic because of mercury contamination, have created uncertainty about the appropriate fish consumption advice to provide pregnant women. The investigators objective was to determine knowledge, behaviors, and received advice regarding fish consumption among pregnant women who are infrequent consumers of fish.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Nutrition

Detailed Description

Fish is a healthful food that is the primary dietary source of elongated n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), nutrients essential for optimal neurodevelopment. Most pregnant women in the US do not consume adequate n-3 PUFA. However, fish also may be contaminated with methylmercury, and approximately 10% of women of childbearing age in the US have mercury levels higher than recommended. Because the same food contains both essential nutrients and harmful contaminants, substantial confusion reigns about the best course of action for pregnant women. Additionally, it is not clear what fish consumption advice would be most effective in changing women's fish consumption habits. The goal of this pilot study is to perform formative work to allow us to develop and refine an intervention to promote consumption of fish low in mercury and high in n-3 PUFA among pregnant women. This project, together with a pilot RCT already funded, will serve as preliminary data to support a larger RCT to evaluate the effects of the intervention on pregnancy outcomes and postpartum maternal and infant health.

Specific Aims Aim 1. Among pregnant women, identify: 1) knowledge of the potential risks and benefits associated with fish consumption during pregnancy; 2) awareness of current recommendations for fish consumption by pregnant women; 3) the sources of information from which they are learning about the health effects associated with fish intake; and 4) facilitators and barriers to fish consumption, such as cost, availability, taste, and habits. To achieve this aim, we will conduct focus groups with pregnant women in the Boston area who are infrequent consumers of fish (defined as <= 2 monthly fish servings).

Aim 2. Develop materials for a planned intervention to increase consumption of fish high in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and low in methylmercury among pregnant women who are infrequent consumers of fish at baseline. We will use results from Aim 1 to inform the development of these materials.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 22

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
      • Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Women aged 18+ who are currently pregnant and who consume <2 weekly fish servings

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• currently pregnant
• age at least 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• unable to speak or understand English
• consuming 2 or more weekly fish servings
• unable to eat fish (e.g. allergy, dietary restriction)

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
• Collaborators: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); HSPH-NIEHS Center for Environmental Health
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Emily Oken, MD, MPH, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: October 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 3, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 9, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): August 10, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): August 10, 2010
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 9, 2010
• Last Verified: August 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: nutrition; pregnancy; omega-3 fatty acid; docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); fish; focus group; mercury
• Other Study ID Numbers: 0613; P30ES000002 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)