SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the dietary pattern of healthy adult and adolescent women, pregnant and non-pregnant, and relate this profile to clinical and laboratory characteristics. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out with 40 women who met the selection criteria: 10 non-pregnant adults, 10 pregnant adults, 10 non-pregnant adolescents, and 10 pregnant adolescents. Dietary data were collected using a registration form, a 24-h recall, and a food frequency questionnaire. Serum levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were determined by capture ELISA. RESULTS: The majority of women were married (22.5%), had completed high school (57.5%), and were white (47.5%). Overall, only one (10%) pregnant adult reported smoking. Dietary supplement use was reported by eight (80%) pregnant adults, four (40%) pregnant adolescents, two (20%) non-pregnant adolescents, and no non-pregnant adults. Pregnant adolescents had a higher intake of omega-3 when compared to pregnant adults and non-pregnant adults (p=0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Pregnant adolescents consumed less minimally processed foods than pregnant adults, non-pregnant adults, and non-pregnant adolescents (p=0.008, 0.019, and 0.024, respectively). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 did not show statistical differences among the four groups (p=0.229 and 0.440, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The dietary patterns of healthy adult and adolescent women, whether pregnant or not, were similar, with pregnant adolescents having a higher intake of omega-3. Pregnant adolescents ate less in natura (minimally processed) food than all the other women. OBJECTIVE nonpregnant, nonpregnant non pregnant, characteristics METHODS 4 criteria 1 form 24h h 24 recall questionnaire ELISA RESULTS 22.5%, 225 22.5% , 22 5 (22.5%) 57.5%, 575 57.5% 57 (57.5%) 47.5%. 475 47.5% . 47 (47.5%) Overall 10% (10% smoking 80% 80 (80% 40% (40% 20% 20 (20% omega3 omega 3 omega- p=0.01 p001 p 0 01 (p=0.0 002 02 0.02 respectively. respectively respectively) p=0.008, p0008 008 (p=0.008 0019 019 0.019 0024 024 0.024 p=0.229 p0229 229 (p=0.22 0440 440 0.440 CONCLUSIONS similar omega3. 3. 2 22.5 (22.5% 57.5 (57.5% 47.5 (47.5% (10 8 (80 (40 (20 p=0.0 p00 (p=0. 00 0.0 p=0.008 p000 (p=0.00 001 0.01 p=0.22 p022 (p=0.2 044 44 0.44 22. (22.5 57. (57.5 47. (47.5 (1 (8 (4 (2 p=0. p0 (p=0 0. p=0.00 p=0.2 p02 04 0.4 (22. (57. (47. ( p=0 (p= (22 (57 (47 p= (p (5