(LB02-02-26) Dietary Intake in Adolescents Who Are Pregnant: A Systematic Review

Objectives: Nutrient inadequacy during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. Adolescentsin the US have the poorest diet quality among all age groups. Thus, adolescents who are pregnant – facing their own nutrient demands during final growth and development themselves – may be at a greater risk of nutrient inadequacy vs adults. Our objective was to summarize existing dietary intake and nutrient status research of adolescents who are pregnant.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO#CRD42024590044) to assess dietary intake and biochemical nutrient status in adolescent vs adult pregnancy. Screening, full-text review, risk of bias assessment, and data extraction were completed independently by two blinded reviewers. Studies were eligible if they examined adolescents with singleton pregnancy ( < 20 y) in the US, with or without an adult comparator (20–35 y), and evaluated dietary intake or nutrient status. A qualitative report of macronutrient data is presented.

Results: Of 2,218 records screened, 31 studies met inclusion criteria in 10 states; 82% of eligible studies were published before 2015. Across 20 studies, mean caloric intake varied substantially by study and trimester (1,754 to 3,629 kcal/d). Carbohydrate (CHO) quality varied; mean CHO intake across 9 studies ranged from 202 to 455 g/d. Mean fiber intake (4 studies) ranged from 11 to 21 g/d, below recommendations across all trimesters (25-34 g/d). Mean protein intake was 68 to 124 g/d (16 studies), which met or exceeded the 2020-2025 DGA (71 g/d). All studies were low quality (<4 Newcastle–Ottawa Scale).

Conclusions: Representative and high-quality nutritional data among adolescents who are pregnant is limited. Preliminary findings suggest that fiber and caloric intake may be inadequate; final analyses are underway.

Funding Sources: This work was partially supported by the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) Health Equity Fellowship Program through CDC Cooperative Agreement. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this publication. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $2,282,400. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.