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the health of the mother-to-be, as women become more conscious of food and health related issues at this time (Anderson, 2001). Adhering to a well balanced diet and healthy lifestyle will help ensure optimal health for both mother and baby (Anderson, 2001). The aim of this study was to investigate the diets and lifestyles of a sample of pregnant women in Northern Ireland and to assess adherence to government guidelines. Methods: A total of 1600 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast, participated in this nutritional study from October 2001 to April 2006. Women recruited were enrolled in the Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study described elsewhere (HAPO, 2008). Women over 18 years old, approximately 29 weeks gestation (range: 2435 weeks) were recruited. Participants completed a validated (Hill, 2005) food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that consisted of a list of 44 items covering all main foods consumed locally. Anthropometric information was also collected at this time, self reported weight approximately three months prior to this pregnancy and height was recorded during the hospital visit. The FFQ responses were coded using standard survey design technique. Various statistical techniques were employed, including Chi squared tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Pearsons correlations. Ethical approval for this nutritional study was obtained by Queens University of Belfast and the University of Ulster lter committee. Results: Of those women that participated in the study (n = 1600), 33% were overweight (23%) or obese (10%) prior to this pregnancy. Only 11% (n = 176) of women consumed ve or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily; a greater proportion of these women were older (P < 0.0005), married (P < 0.0005) and non-smokers (P < 0.0005). 35% of the women achieved an estimated intake of 700 mg of calcium. Overall, the mean calcium intake was 560 mg (251.12). Chocolate bars and biscuits were the most popular snack food, eaten by 86% (n = 1378) at least once a week; women that were more likely to eat chocolate as a snack were younger (P < 0.0005). 24% of women smoked during their pregnancy and 26% consumed alcohol at some stage during the pregnancy. Discussion: A considerable proportion of women were overweight or obese prior to this pregnancy; obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing complications such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and also obstetrical complications. The study also showed that few women consumed the ve or more portions of fresh fruit and vegetables daily which was less than that reported in a previous survey of women in NI, in which 31% met the ve a day requirement (DHSSPS, 2007). The rate of smoking in the current study was comparable with other studies conducted in pregnant women; Mouratidou et al. (2006) reported a 28% smoking rate amongst pregnant women. Conclusion: Presently, there are no other studies conducted on dietary and lifestyle habits of pregnant women in North-

ern Ireland; this study has identied the need for public health intervention to encourage and educate women to implement changes for their health and the health of their children. References: Anderson, A.S. (2001) Pregnancy as a time for dietary change? Symposium on Nutritional adaption to pregnancy and lactation. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 60, 497504. DHSSPS (2007) Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Health and Lifestyle Report. A report from the Health and Social Wellbeing Survey 2005/2006, pp1150. DHSSPS, Belfast, Northern Ireland. HAPO (2008) The Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome. N. Engl. J. Med. 358, 19912002. Hill, A.J. (2005) Dietary intakes and lifestyle factors of pregnant women in Northern Ireland, PhD, University of Ulster. Mouratidou, T., Ford, F., Prountzou, F. & Fraser, R. (2006) Dietary Assessment of a population of pregnant women in Shefeld, UK. Br. J. Nutr. 96, 929935.

Leukonychia on nger nails as a marker of calcium and/or zinc deciency Z. Morgan and H. Wickett Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, UK e-mail: z.morgan@ntlworld.com

Background: Popular lay media claim that the aetiology of leukonychia (white spots) on nger nails is due to calcium and/or zinc (McKeith, 2008; Holford, 1998) deciency. No studies are available in scientic literature to support or refute these claims. Cited causes in dermatology journals include, trophic disturbances, gender, hand dominance, nail trauma and orange stick usage (Mitchell, 1953) although this is dated. This small scale study aimed to establish if there is a correlation between calcium and/or zinc intakes and the presence or absence of leukonychia on nger nails. Methods: A cross sectional survey was completed by 82 university undergraduate students. The study was approved by the University ethics panel. A convenience sample was taken from students enrolled on courses within the School of Health Science. A self administered questionnaire collected data on the number of leukonychia present on participants nger nails, participants opinions on leukonychias aetiology, calcium and zinc intakes, age, gender, handedness, supplement usage, activities and orange stick usage. A food frequency questionnaire, adapted from the tool used in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC) (Day et al., 2001), was developed to allot participants calcium and zinc intake scores. Data was coded and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. Spearmans Correlation was used to assess the relationship

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between calcium and zinc intake scores and the number of leukonychia present. Results: The majority of participants thought that leukonychia was a result of a singular or multiple nutrient deciency (51%), mainly either calcium or zinc. Leukonychia was present in 46% of the sample. It was not signicantly associated with calcium intake (P = 0.681), zinc intake (P = 0.604), age (P = 0.715), gender (P = 0.089), hand dominance (P = 0.151), multivitamin/mineral usage (n = 62, P = 0.655) or orange stick usage (n = 12, P = 0.961). The majority (63%) of participants reported to take part in activities that knock their hands frequently. A correlation was found between activities that knock participants hands frequently and the number of leukonychia present on nger nails (P = 0.000, t = )4.902, df = 77). Discussion: The results showed there was no correlation between calcium or zinc intake scores and leukonychia. Participants intakes scores followed similar patterns to the actual intakes observed in a survey of the UK general population (Henderson et al., 2003). For both nutrients male intake score where higher than females and intake scores for calcium increased with age. However a limitation of this study is that nutrient intake was estimated using a non-validated tool which provided an arbitrary intake score that could not be quantitatively compared to the National Diet and Nutrition Surveys (Henderson et al., 2003) data. Another limitation was that the number of leukonychia was also gathered using a non-validated tool and all results were self-reported. Conclusion: This study suggested that there is no correlation between the presences of leukonychia and calcium or zinc intake scores. Although it would be benecial if this study was repeated using more robust measures of calcium and zinc intake and leukonychia, and within a larger population known to have low calcium and zinc intakes. References: Day, N., McKeown, N., Wong, M., Welch, A. & Bingham, S. (2001) Epidemiology assessment of diet: a comparison of a 7-day diary with a food frequency questionnaire using urinary markers of nitrogen, potassium and sodium. Int. J. Epidemiol. 30, 309317. Henderson, L., Irving, K., Gregory, J., Bates, C.J., Prentice, A., Perks, J., Swan, G. & Farron, M. (2003) National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Adults aged 1964 years. Vol 3:Vitamin and mineral intake and urinary analytes. London: TSO. Holford, P. (1998) The Optimum Nutrition Bible: The Book You Have to Read if You Care About Your Health. London: Piatkus Books. McKeith, G. (2008) Food Bible: The Complete A-Z Guide to a Healthy Life. London: Michael Joseph. Mitchell, J.C. (1953) A clinical study of leukonychia. Br. J. Dermatol. 65, 121130.

The impact of weight loss competition in the workplace D. Morton1, S. McElhone2 and H. White2 1 Backridge House, Twitter Lane, Waddington, UK and 2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Leeds Metropolitan University, Calverley St Leeds, UK e-mail: dominiquemorton@hotmail.com

Background: The workplace has been identied as an environment in which primary prevention and secondary weight management strategies can be promoted (DH, 2008). Workplace weight management programmes have had limited success showing minimal weight loss, poor recruitment and high attrition rates (Stunkard et al., 1989). Team weight loss competitions have proved more promising although studies are predominantly American and have had methodological limitations (Cohen et al., 1987; Stunkard et al., 1989). The current investigation was a pilot study to determine if team based competition (without incentive) was more effective than traditional workplace education and behavioural programmes in achieving weight loss. Methods: Two established self-help diet groups were recruited from separate ofce workplaces within Lancashire. Each group attended a Healthy Lifestyle Workshop led by the lead researcher consisting of two components; a structured workshop incorporating an interactive presentation of a balanced diet, weight loss techniques, exercise and behaviour change and a worksheet on which participants identied personal goals and individual objectives. One ofce was randomly assigned to complete this on an individual basis (Group A), and the remaining ofce was assigned to a team based competition intervention (Group B), through random allocation into two teams, and encouraged to compete against each other to achieve the greatest collective team weight loss. No winning incentive was provided. The lead researcher recorded baseline age, weight and body mass index (BMI) and subsequent weight, BMI weekly for 3 weeks using the same set of calibrated scales. Independent t-tests were used to compare the nal percentage weight loss between competing and non-competing groups and differences in weight and BMI at baseline and 3 weeks. Ethical approval was gained from Leeds Metropolitan University Research Ethics Committee. Results: A total of 42 individuals participated in the study [Group A: n = 17 (seven male, 12 female); and Group B: n = 23 (5 male, 18 female)] There were no differences between groups for age [29(8) years (Group A) versus 31(9) years (Group B) P = 0.55], baseline weight [81(17.9) kg (Group A) versus 75.6(16.5) kg (Group B) P = 0.32] or BMI [27.9(6.7) kg m)2 (Group A) versus 27.1(5.3) kg m)2 (Group B) P = 0.69]. The competing group (Group B) achieved significantly greater percentage weight loss after 3 weeks than the group participating as individuals (Group A) [2.6 (2)% v 1.1(2.1)%, P = 0.025].

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