Summary Drouillet P, Kaminski M, De Lauzon-Guillain B, Forhan A, Ducimetière P, Schweitzer M, Magnin G, Goua V, Thiébaugeorges O, Charles M-A. Association between maternal seafood consumption before pregnancy and fetal growth: evidence for an association in overweight women. The EDEN mother-child cohort. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2009; 23: 76-86.Studies in countries with high seafood consumption have shown a benefit on fetal growth and child development. The objective of our study was to determine the association between seafood consumption in French pregnant women and fetal growth. Pregnant women included in the EDEN mother-child cohort study completed two food frequency questionnaires on their usual diet in the year before and during the last 3 months of pregnancy (n = 1805). Fetal circumferences were measured by ultrasound and anthropometry at birth. Variables were compared across tertiles of the mother's seafood consumption using multiple linear regression to adjust for confounding variables. Analyses were stratified by maternal overweight status because of an interaction between maternal seafood consumption and her body mass index (P < 0.01). There was no association between seafood intake and fetal growth in the whole sample of women. For overweight women (n = 464), higher consumption of seafood before pregnancy was associated with higher fetal biparietal and abdominal circumferences and anthropometric measures. From the lowest to the highest tertiles, mean birthweight was 167 g higher (P = 0.002). No significant association was found with consumption at the end of pregnancy. In conclusion, high seafood consumption before pregnancy is positively associated with fetal growth in overweight women.

Recent studies suggest a benefit of seafood and n-3 fatty acid intake on fetal growth and infant development. The objective was to study the association between fatty acid intake and fetal growth in pregnant French women. Pregnant women included in the EDEN mother-child cohort study completed FFQ on their usual diet:(1) in the year before pregnancy and (2) during the last 3 months of pregnancy (n 1439). Conversion into nutrient intakes was performed using data on portion size and a French food composition table. Associations between maternal fatty acid intakes and several neonatal anthropometric measurements were studied using linear regressions adjusted for centre, mother's age, smoking habits, height, parity, gestational age and newborn's sex. Due to significant interaction, analyses were stratified according to maternal pre-pregnancy overweight status. Neither total lipid nor SFA, MUFA or PUFA intake was significantly associated with newborn size. In overweight women only (n 366), a high pre-pregnancy n-3 fatty acid intake (% PUFA) was positively associated with the newborn's birth weight (P = 0.01), head, arm and wrist circumferences and sum of skinfolds (P < 0.04). A substitution of 1 % of n-3 fatty acids per d before pregnancy by other PUFA was related to an average decrease in birth weight of 60 g (P = 0.01). Relationships with n-3 fatty acid intake at the end of pregnancy were weaker and not significant. We concluded that a high pre-pregnancy n-3 fatty acid:PUFA ratio may sustain fetal growth in overweight women. Follow-up of the children may help determine whether this has beneficial consequences for the child's health and development.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: A number of studies have investigated the role of dietary calcium in lipid metabolism and weight regulation, and the influence of dairy products on the incidence of insulin resistance syndrome. In this study we have examined the relationship between dietary calcium and the established parameters of the insulin resistance syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population (n=4372) was taken from the DESIR (Data from the Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome) cohort. Data for parameters relating to the syndrome were recorded, including glucose, serum insulin, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, waist circumference and blood pressure. Total energy, calcium and alcohol intake were estimated using a food-frequency questionnaire. Relationships between dietary calcium density and the above parameters were analyzed by multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity. From one quartile of calcium density to the next, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and insulin concentrations decreased in women by 0.9mmHg, 0.5mmHg and 2.4%, respectively, and HDL-cholesterol increased by 0.007mmol/l (all p<0.05) after adjustment for age, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity. In men, there was an increase of 0.2kg/m(2) in the body mass index(BMI) and a decrease of 0.4mmHg in diastolic blood pressure (both p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm a beneficial association between dietary calcium and arterial blood pressure, insulin and HDL-cholesterol levels in women, whereas in men there was only a beneficial association with diastolic blood pressure.