Abstract
Background and objectivesAdequate nutrient intakes among women of reproductive age (WRA) are important determinants of maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes. However, data on dietary intake for WRA in Vietnam are lacking. This paper aimed to examine the adequacy and determinants of energy and macronutrient intakes among WRA enrolled in a study of preconceptual micronutrient supplementation (PRECONCEPT) being conducted in 20 rural communes in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam.MethodsDietary intakes were determined for 4983 WRA who participated in the baseline survey using a previously validated 107-item (semi-quantitative) food-frequency questionnaire that was administered by trained field workers. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with energy and macronutrient intakes.ResultsA disproportionate number of energy came from starches, primarily rice. Carbohydrate, fat and protein constituted 65.6%, 19.5% and 14.8% of total energy, respectively. Fat intake was below recommended levels in 56.5% of respondents, but carbohydrate intakes were above recommended level in 54.6%. Only 0.1% and 5.2% of WRA achieved adequate intake of n-3 and n-6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Multivariate linear regression revealed that low education, low socioeconomic status, and food insecurity were significant predictors of reduced total energy intake, reduced energy from protein and fat, and greater energy from carbohydrates. Logistic regression confirmed that inadequate macronutrient intake was more common among the poor, food insecure, and less educated.ConclusionsImbalanced dietary intakes among underprivileged women reflect lack of dietary diversity. Nutrition programs should be linked with social development, poverty reduction, education programs and behavior change counseling in order to improve the nutritional status of WRA in Vietnam.
Highlights
Background and objectivesAdequate nutrient intakes among women of reproductive age (WRA) are important determinants of maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes
We modeled the excessive intake of carbohydrate
While increasing socio-economic status (SES) does not necessarily translate into improved nutritional status in developing countries [32], these findings suggest that overall intake, protein intake, and dietary diversity can be improved by targeting interventions to the poor and food insecure
Summary
Adequate nutrient intakes among women of reproductive age (WRA) are important determinants of maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes. The prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (Body mass index - BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) among women of reproductive age (WRA) decreased dramatically between 1990 and 2000 Despite significant improvements over the last decade, chronic energy deficiency is still a significant public health concern, affecting one in every five WRA in Vietnam [5]. Inadequate nutrition intake among WRA carries important implications for women’s health, including undernutrition and chronic disease, and negatively influences pregnancy and child outcomes, including increased risk of neural tube defects, low birth weight, and preterm delivery [9]
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