Researchers surveyed over 1,500 women worldwide to check their eating habits using a simple checklist. They found that nearly all women (94.5%) were missing at least one important nutrient in their diet. The biggest problems were not eating enough fish and beans. Younger women planning pregnancies weren’t taking enough folic acid supplements, while older women generally ate better. The study shows that nutritional gaps are a worldwide problem affecting women of all ages, and doctors can use this checklist to help women improve their diets.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether women around the world are eating enough healthy foods like fish, beans, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and whether they’re taking important vitamins like folic acid
  • Who participated: 1,515 women from different countries and regions who filled out an online nutrition checklist. The group included women of different ages, some pregnant, some planning pregnancy, and some not planning to have children
  • Key finding: 94.5% of women surveyed were missing at least one important food group in their diet. The most common problems were not eating enough fish (45.3% of women) and not eating enough beans and legumes (38.1% of women). More than half of women aged 17-44 who might get pregnant weren’t taking folic acid supplements
  • What it means for you: If you’re a woman, there’s a good chance your diet could be improved by adding more fish, beans, fruits, and vegetables. If you’re planning to get pregnant or could become pregnant, taking a folic acid supplement is especially important. Talk to your doctor about your specific nutritional needs

The Research Details

This study looked back at answers from 1,515 women who completed an online nutrition checklist created by the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). The checklist asked simple yes-or-no questions about whether women eat recommended amounts of different food groups like fish, beans, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and meat. Researchers then organized the answers by the woman’s age, whether she was pregnant or planning pregnancy, and which region of the world she lived in. They counted how many women answered “no” to each question, which meant they weren’t eating enough of that food group.

This approach is useful because it’s simple and can be used by doctors and nurses worldwide to quickly identify which women might need help improving their diets. By looking at patterns across different ages and regions, researchers can see where nutritional problems are most common and help create better nutrition programs for women in different parts of the world

This study has some strengths: it included women from multiple countries and regions, giving a global perspective. However, it also has limitations: people who fill out online surveys may not represent all women (they tend to be more educated and have internet access), and the study only shows what women reported eating, not what they actually ate. The checklist is simple but may not catch all nutritional problems

What the Results Show

The study found that almost all women surveyed (1,432 out of 1,515, or 94.5%) were not eating enough of at least one important food group. The most common problem was not eating enough fish—nearly half of all women (687 out of 1,515, or 45.3%) reported low fish intake. The second most common problem was not eating enough beans and legumes, with 38.1% of women reporting this gap.

When looking at different age groups, younger women (ages 17-44) had more nutritional gaps than older women (over 45 years old). For example, only 60.7% of younger women were eating enough fruits and vegetables, compared to 70.3% of older women. Similarly, 59.2% of younger women were eating enough beans, compared to 75.4% of older women.

Pregnant women or women planning to get pregnant had more nutritional gaps than women not planning pregnancy. Specifically, more than half of women aged 17-44 who might become pregnant (51.6%) were not taking folic acid supplements, which is an important vitamin for preventing birth defects.

When comparing different regions of the world, Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean region had the best nutrition overall, followed by North America. The Asia-Oceania region had the most nutritional problems, with nearly half of women (47.6%) reporting at least four different nutritional gaps.

The study also found that non-pregnant women under 45 were more likely to eat enough whole grains (81.5% vs. 76.5%) and meat, poultry, or eggs (86.7% vs. 79.7%) compared to pregnant women or women planning pregnancy. This suggests that women may change their eating habits when they’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant, though not always in ways that improve their overall nutrition

This study adds to existing research showing that many women worldwide don’t eat enough healthy foods. Previous studies have shown similar patterns—that fish and bean consumption is low in many populations, and that folic acid supplementation is often missed in women of childbearing age. This research confirms these patterns across multiple countries and shows they’re a consistent global problem

The study only included women who had internet access and chose to fill out an online survey, so it may not represent all women worldwide. Women who take nutrition seriously might be more likely to complete the survey, which could make the results look better than they actually are. The checklist uses simple yes-or-no questions, which can’t capture the full picture of someone’s diet. Additionally, the study shows what women reported eating, not what they actually ate, so there could be differences between what people say and what they do

The Bottom Line

If you’re a woman, especially one who is pregnant, planning pregnancy, or could become pregnant: (1) Try to eat fish at least twice a week (HIGH confidence); (2) Add beans, lentils, or other legumes to your meals several times a week (HIGH confidence); (3) Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily (HIGH confidence); (4) If you’re of childbearing age, take a folic acid supplement daily—especially if planning pregnancy (HIGH confidence); (5) Eat whole grain breads and cereals instead of refined grains (MODERATE confidence). Talk to your doctor about your specific needs, as individual requirements vary

All women should pay attention to these findings, but especially: women aged 17-44, women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, women in Asia-Oceania regions, and women who eat very little fish or beans. Women over 45 who are already meeting most nutritional guidelines may need less urgent changes, though they can still benefit from ensuring adequate nutrition. Men should also care because these findings suggest nutritional gaps are common and may affect their families

You may notice improved energy and mood within 2-4 weeks of improving your diet. If you’re planning pregnancy and start taking folic acid, it takes about 4 weeks to build up in your system, so start at least one month before trying to conceive. Long-term benefits like reduced disease risk develop over months and years of consistent healthy eating

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly servings of fish, beans/legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Set a goal like “eat fish 2x per week” and “add beans to meals 3x per week” and check off each time you meet these goals
  • Use the app to set daily reminders to add one of these foods to each meal. For example: “Add vegetables to lunch,” “Include beans in dinner,” or “Take folic acid supplement with breakfast.” Start with one change per week rather than trying to change everything at once
  • Every two weeks, review your app data to see which food groups you’re doing well with and which need improvement. Set new mini-goals based on your weakest areas. If you’re planning pregnancy, use the app to track folic acid supplement compliance daily

This research provides general information about nutritional patterns in women worldwide and should not replace personalized medical advice. Individual nutritional needs vary based on age, health status, pregnancy status, and other factors. Before making significant changes to your diet or starting supplements, especially if you’re pregnant, planning pregnancy, or have existing health conditions, consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian. This study shows associations and patterns but does not prove that specific dietary changes will prevent disease or improve health in all individuals.