Study Overview
Published: Nature
Category: Healthy Living at Every Age
View Published Study
Download PDF
Background:
Maternal exposures during pregnancy play a critical role in offspring’s health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate how maternal avocado consumption during pregnancy relates to offspring allergic health outcomes using the Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo) Study.
Methods:
This prospective cohort study used data from KuBiCo. Avocado consumption was assessed using an online food frequency questionnaire in trimesters (T) 1 and 3. Avocado consumers were defined as participants who reported consuming any avocado (>0 grams) in T1 and/or 3, and avocado non-consumers were defined as those who didn’t report consuming any avocado(0 grams) in both T1 and 3. The 12-month follow-up questionnaire captured offspring allergic outcomes (rhinitis, paroxysmalwheezing, atopic eczema, and food allergy).
Results:
Of 4647 participants, 2272 met the criteria and were included in the analysis. Compared to avocado non-consumers(during pregnancy), avocado consumers (during pregnancy) had 43.6% lower odds of reporting food allergy among their childrenat the 12-month follow-up questionnaire while adjusted for relevant covariates. No significant associations were noted in the otherthree allergic health outcomes in the fully adjusted model.
Conclusions:
Avocado consumption during pregnancy was associated with lower odds of infant food allergies at 12 months, even when accounting for potential covariates.
