Apples for Health- Study uncovers pre-pregnancy concerns

Study uncovers pre-pregnancy concerns

SOUTHAMPTON, England, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- British researchers say a study they conducted found most women trying to get pregnant are not following dietary recommendations.

The research team from Britain's University of Southampton found in a study of 12,500 British women that those attempting to become pregnant were only slightly more likely to follow pre-conception diet tips, the BBC reported Friday.

The study of women ages 20 to 34, focused on their dietary supplement use, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking habits and overall diet.

A total of 309 participants ultimately became pregnant within three months of the study and, of those, only 5.5 percent had been taking the recommended daily dose of folic acid supplements.

Study leader Professor Hazel Inskip told the British network it was surprising to learn only 51 percent of the participants who tot pregnant had been limiting their alcohol intake to four units a week.

The margin of error for the study was not reported.