Abstract
BackgroundNutritional requirements are increased during pregnancy and lactation. The aim of this study was to compare the food intake and prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake among pregnant, lactating and reproductive-age women.MethodsTwo-day dietary records of 322 pregnant and 751 lactating women were compared to those of 6837 non-pregnant and non-lactating women aged 19 to 40 years from a nationwide representative sample. The usual nutrient intake was estimated using the National Cancer Institute method, and compared to nutritional goals to estimate prevalence of inadequate intake.ResultsPregnant, lactating and reproductive-age women did not differ in their average consumption of 18 food groups, except for rice, with greatest intake among lactating women. The prevalence of nutrient inadequacy in pregnant women was higher than in reproductive-age women for folate (78% versus 40%) and vitamin B6 (59% versus 33%). In lactating women, prevalence was higher than in reproductive-age women for vitamin A (95% versus 72%), vitamin C (56% versus 37%), vitamin B6 (75% vs. 33%), folate (72% versus 40%) and zinc (64% versus 20%). The percentage of sodium intake above the upper limit was greater than 70% in the three groups.ConclusionsInadequate intake is frequent in women and increases during pregnancy and lactation, because women do not change their food intake. Guidelines should stimulate healthy food intake for women across the lifespan.
Highlights
Nutritional requirements are increased during pregnancy and lactation
Specific micronutrient deficiencies can result in a low birth weight, and maternal obesity is associated with the development of gestational diabetes and/or hypertension syndrome during pregnancy, which can have consequences for the health of both the mother and the newborn [7]
The mean energy intake of pregnant women was 1964 kcal; for lactating women it was 1804 kcal and for reproductive age-women it was 1757 kcal
Summary
The aim of this study was to compare the food intake and prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake among pregnant, lactating and reproductive-age women. This higher demand of energy and nutrients is necessary to support the growth and development of the foetus and child and associated changes in maternal metabolism [1]. Poor diet during pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes, such as abnormal foetal growth [2,3] birth defects [4] and increased risk of hypertensive disorders [5,6]. The aim of this study is to compare food and identify the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake amongst pregnant, lactating and reproductive-age women
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