Preconception diet and its relationship with hemoglobin in rural and urban women of San Francisco Cozoaltepec and Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca

Abstract

Introduction: during pregnancy, pregnant women have nutritional needs that are calculated based on recommendations for non-pregnant women (preconception stage), as well as caloric needs, which depend on physical activity and development. One of the main problems with the diet is insufficient iron intake due to the increase in muscle mass and blood volume. Objective: to describe the preconception diet of women with prenatal care and its relationship with hemoglobin in the rural area of San Francisco Cozoaltepec and the urban area of Puerto Escondido, belonging to the Oaxacan coast region. Methods: to evaluate the nutrition of the preconception diet, the "Frequency of food consumption" questionnaire and the "24-hour recall" were used. To assess the hemoglobin level, the "first clinical record" attached to the medical record was taken. Results: sixty pregnant women were included (25,83±0,92 years in the urban area and 26,03±1,18 years in the rural area, respectively). During the first stage of pregnancy, the hemoglobin concentration was within normal parameters, with greater significance in the rural area (13,24 ± 0,30 units). Conclusion: the hemoglobin concentration in both study areas was within normal parameters; however, the value in the rural area is higher compared to the urban area, and this difference is related to altitude above sea level. An inadequate nutritional status was also observed in both populations