Iron, folic acid and zinc intakes and status of low socio-economic pregnant and lactating Amazonian women

Dietary intakes were obtained by 24-h recall from 25 women in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and 25 women in the first 3 months of lactation from eight towns in the Amazon valley. No consistent differences were found between the towns, so the results have been analysed together. Intakes of iron, free and total folate and zinc were nearly all very low compared with current recommendations. Despite their low intakes, the majority of the women had acceptable values of haemoglobin, haematocrit and MCHC. Serum folate concentrations were almost all extremely low (less than 2.5 ng/ml). The levels of RBC folate were also low, but in general not as severely so as those for serum folate. Serum zinc concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 microgram/ml, whereas the lower limit of acceptability has been put by various authors as 0.59-0.69 microgram/ml according to the stage of pregnancy. In breast milk, total folate in the majority of women ranged from 25 to 50 ng/ml, the greater part of it being in the free form. Zinc levels in breast milk were within the range 0-2 microgram/ml.     

Food and nutrient intakes of pregnant and lactating women in the United States

Food and nutrient intakes of pregnant and lactating women in the U.S. were estimated using 24-hour dietary recall data from USDA's 1985 and 1986 Continuing Surveys of Food Intakes by Individuals. Comparisons were made with intakes of nonpregnant and nonlactating (other) women and with dietary recommendations. Pregnant and lactating women were more likely to use milk products and to consume larger amounts of these products than were other women; however, reported intakes were still below recommended levels. The results also suggest that many pregnant and lactating women consume less than the recommended amounts of vegetables, fruits, and meat, poultry, fish, and meat alternates. Absolute intakes of most nutrients were higher among pregnant and lactating women than among other women. However, except for some nutrients provided by milk products and fruit, nutrient intakes per 1000 kcal were similar between pregnant and lactating women and other women. Pregnant women consumed 66% of their RDA for folate and only 43% of their RDA for iron. Lactating women consumed 63% of their RDA for zinc.     

Retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in breast milk of Turkish lactating mothers under different socio-economic status

Retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels in breast milk of Turkish mothers under different socioeconomic status were investigated. Mature milk samples were collected from 92 lactating mothers living in Izmir and in Manisa, cities of Turkey, who were at 60-90 days of the lactating period. Socio-economic, anthropometric, and dietary data were collected by means of a questionnaire. The body mass index was used to determine the nutritional status. The retinol and alpha-tocopherol contents of breast milk were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography; the concentration of alpha-tocopherol was 9.84 microg/ml whereas retinol levels were 81.5 microg/100 ml. The questionnaire survey was used to determine the level of these vitamins in the daily ration of the women. No significant differences were found in terms of milk retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels for the variables income, educational level and mothers' body mass index.     

Comparison of dietary food and nutrient intakes by supplement use in pregnant and lactating women in Seoul

This study was performed to compare the dietary food and nutrient intakes according to supplement use in pregnant and lactating women in Seoul. The subjects were composed of 201 pregnant and 104 lactating women, and their dietary food intake was assessed using the 24-h recall method. General information on demographic and socioeconomic factors, as well as health-related behaviors, including the use of dietary supplements, were collected. About 88% and 60% of the pregnant and lactating women took dietary supplements, respectively. The proportion of dietary supplements used was higher in pregnant women with a higher level of education. After adjusting for potential confounders, among the pregnant women, supplement users were found to consume 45% more vegetables, and those among the lactating women were found to consume 96% more beans and 58% more vegetables. The intakes of dietary fiber and β-carotene among supplement users were higher than those of non-users, by 23% and 39%, respectively. Among pregnant women, the proportion of women with an intake of vitamin C (from diet alone) below the estimated average requirements (EAR) was lower among supplement users [users (44%) vs. non-users (68%)], and the proportion of lactating women with intakes of iron (from diet alone) below the EAR was lower among supplement users [usesr (17%) vs. non-users (38%)]. These results suggest that among pregnant and lactating women, those who do not use dietary supplements tend to have a lower intake of healthy foods, such as beans and vegetables, as well as a lower intake of dietary fiber and β-carotene, which are abundant in these foods, and non-users are more likely than users to have inadequate intake of micro-nutrient such as vitamin C and iron.     

Influence of gender and socio-economic status on dietary patterns and nutrient intakes in 18-year-old Australians

This study used two-day diet records to examine dietary behaviours in 504 Australian 18 year-olds in relation to gender, socio-economic status (SES) and national dietary guidelines. Fat intake exceeded 30% of energy in about 80% of subjects and was greater than 40% in about one-quarter. Saturated fat provided more than 10% of dietary energy in more than 90% of participants; less than 1% achieved a polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio of at least one. The major food groups contributing to fat intake were convenience foods (32% in men, 28% in women) and meat (27% in men, 25% in women). Fibre intake was less than 30 g/day in 93% of women and 77% of men. Intakes of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins C and A, as a ratio of energy consumption, were greater in women than men, while sodium intake was significantly higher in men. Convenience foods were the greatest contributors to sodium intake (27% in men, 22% in women) followed by meat, bread, and soups and sauces. Greater consumption of cereals, fruit, vegetables and low-fat foods in young women of higher SES was reflected in their nutrient profile with higher intake of fibre and vitamin C and lower intake of fat. Men ate more cereals, meat and sugary foods and less fruit, vegetables and low-fat foods. Only 2.5% of men and 4.1% of women conformed with the health promotion message, widely publicised locally, to eat two fruits and five vegetables daily. Not eating breakfast was associated with lower calcium intake in men and women, and lower iron and fibre intake in women. Achieving behavioural changes in young adults must take into account differences in dietary behaviour related to gender and SES.     

Breakfast type, daily nutrient intakes and vitamin and mineral status of French children, adolescents, and adults

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between the consumption of different types of breakfasts, dietary intakes, and selected indices of nutritional status. METHODS: Dietary intakes were obtained using the dietary history method, and serum bioassays were used to assess vitamin and mineral status in a representative community-based sample of 1108 French children (ages 2 to 10 years), adolescents (ages 10 to 18 years), and adults (ages 18 to 65 years). Breakfasts were divided into three categories: low-energy (<15% of the energy RDA), medium-energy (15-25%) and high-energy (>25%). RESULTS: High-energy breakfasts were associated with the consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals. High-energy breakfasts and cereal consumption, both more common among children and adolescents than among adults, were also associated with a greater proportion of daily energy from carbohydrate and lower proportion of energy from fat. High-energy breakfasts and cereal consumption were further associated with higher intakes of vitamins and minerals as measured by percent RDAs. High-energy breakfasts and cereal consumption were associated with lower serum cholesterols and improved biochemical indices of nutritional status. Serum concentrations of vitamin B1 (in children and adolescents), vitamin B2 and beta-carotene (in adults) were significantly linked to the level of energy provided by breakfast. CONCLUSION: The consumption of breakfast cereals appears to have a positive impact on nutritional status regardless of age.     

Healthy travel and the socio-economic structure of car commuting in Cambridge, UK: a mixed-methods analysis

Car use is associated with substantial health and environmental costs but research in deprived populations indicates that car access may also promote psychosocial well-being within car-oriented environments. This mixed-method (quantitative and qualitative) study examined this issue in a more affluent setting, investigating the socio-economic structure of car commuting in Cambridge, UK. Our analyses involved integrating self-reported questionnaire data from 1142 participants in the Commuting and Health in Cambridge study (collected in 2009) and in-depth interviews with 50 participants (collected 2009-2010). Even in Britain's leading 'cycling city', cars were a key resource in bridging the gap between individuals' desires and their circumstances. This applied both to long-term life goals such as home ownership and to shorter-term challenges such as illness. Yet car commuting was also subject to constraints, with rush hour traffic pushing drivers to start work earlier and with restrictions on, or charges for, workplace parking pushing drivers towards multimodal journeys (e.g. driving to a 'park-and-ride' site then walking). These patterns of car commuting were socio-economically structured in several ways. First, the gradient of housing costs made living near Cambridge more expensive, affecting who could 'afford' to cycle and perhaps making cycling the more salient local marker of Bourdieu's class distinction. Nevertheless, cars were generally affordable in this relatively affluent, highly-educated population, reducing the barrier which distance posed to labour-force participation. Finally, having the option of starting work early required flexible hours, a form of job control which in Britain is more common among higher occupational classes. Following a social model of disability, we conclude that socio-economic advantage can make car-oriented environments less disabling via both greater affluence and greater job control, and in ways manifested across the full socio-economic range. This suggests the importance of combining individual-level 'healthy travel' interventions with measures aimed at creating travel environments in which all social groups can pursue healthy and satisfying lives.     

Variability in nutrient intakes among pregnant women in Indonesia: implications for the design of epidemiological studies using the 24-h recall method

Few studies have assessed the reliability of dietary intake methods during pregnancy. Between 1996 and 1998, a longitudinal study of dietary intake during pregnancy was carried out among 451 women in Central Java, Indonesia. Six 24-h recalls were performed each trimester. We report here on intraindividual and interindividual variability in energy and nutrient intakes, as well as the reliability of the 24-h diet recall method. Implications of the use of different numbers of replicate days for estimating dietary intake and the relationships between dietary intake and health outcomes are also discussed. Intravariance-to-intervariance ratios were <1 for energy and carbohydrates and >1 for all other nutrients throughout pregnancy. Reliability analyses found good agreement (reliability coefficient >0.7) with three replicates for the macronutrients, but at least six replicates were needed for an agreement of > or =0.6 for the micronutrients. To estimate true individual average intake with a precision of +/-20%, six replicate recalls were sufficient for energy, carbohydrates, vitamin A, iron and vitamin C. In conclusion, mean intake of several nutrients can be reliably measured with the 24-h recall method, using a limited number of days. The nutrient of interest, the primary objectives and method of analyses should all be taken into account when planning sample size and number of replicates.     

The nutrient and food intakes of 16–17 year old female dieters in the UK

A group of female teenage dieters was isolated from a larger national dietary survey of teenagers at 16–17 years of age. The dieting group included girls who both claimed to be dieting and who had energy intakes which were considered appropriate for weight loss, based on calculated reported energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate cut-off points. The nutrient intakes and food choices of dieters (n= 204) were compared with a similar sample of non-dieters (n= 226) from the same cohort group. The mean reported energy intake of the dieters was 1604 kcals/day compared to 2460 kcals/day amongst non-dieters. The intakes of all the macronutrients in g/day were considerably lower amongst dieters, allowing for differences in region and social class, but when expressed as a percentage of energy intake, dieters had significantly lower intakes of fat and higher intakes of protein and intrinsic sugars, milk sugars and starch. No differences were seen in the percentage of energy provided by non-milk extrinsic sugars between the two groups. The intake of all micronutrients was substantially lower amongst dieters, allowing for regional and social class differences, and more than twice as many dieters as non-dieters failed to achieve the reference nutrient intake (RNI) for retinol equivalents, thiamin, riboflavin, folates, vitamin B12, vitamin B₆, zinc, copper and selenium. Reported food intake data for the two groups suggest that dieters consumed smaller quantities of most foods, although intakes of items associated with dieting such as low calorie soft drinks, low fat spread, skimmed milk, cottage cheese, yoghurt, salad vegetables, fruit and fruit juice were consumed in equal or greater amounts by dieters. Teenage dieters should be encouraged to include more nutrient-dense foods in their diets such as fortified breakfast cereals and low fat dairy products in order to obtain sufficient micronutrients from a lower calorie intake.     

Effect of the method of preparation for consumption on calcium retention,calcium:phosphorus ratio,nutrient density and recommended daily allowance in fourteen vegetables

The aim of this work was to evaluate calcium retention in 14 species of vegetable (from four usable groups). The material investigated consisted of raw and boiled fresh vegetables and two types of frozen product prepared for consumption after 12-month storage: one traditionally produced; the other obtained using the modified method (convenience food). The highest calcium content was found in leafy vegetables, followed (in descending order) by leguminous, root and brassica vegetables. The proportion by weight of Ca to P was highest in leafy vegetables and decreased with calcium retention despite the fact that levels of phosphorus were highest in leguminous and lowest in leafy vegetables. The nutrient density (ND%) of calcium for adults exceeded 100 for each individual vegetable species. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) percentage value varied between 23.04 (kale) and 1.46 (white cauliflower). Of the three types of product, ND and RDA values were generally greater in the frozen convenience products.     

甘肃临夏地区孕妇、乳母及儿童碘营养状况的调查研究

分层随机整群抽取甘肃临夏地区的 5 5名孕妇、75名乳母、83名 3～ 5岁儿童及 6 8名新生儿进行碘营养状况的调查。调查结果显示 ,孕妇、乳母及 3～ 5岁儿童的尿碘中位数分别为 2 95 0、2 32 0、192 5 μg L ;<10 0 μg L者的比率分别为 6 1%、16 1%及 2 1 7% ;孕妇和乳母的甲状腺容积的第 97百分位值为 2 4 81ml和2 4 2 6ml;孕妇、乳母及 3～ 5岁儿童血清T3在正常范围内的比率分别为 87 3%、78 7%、80 0 % ,T4在正常范围内的比率分别为 6 3 7%、98 7%及 83 1% ,TSH在正常范围内的比率分别为 77 3%、81 2 %及 6 5 9%。新生儿脐血TSH >5mIU L的比率为 18 8%。结果提示 ,临夏地区人群碘营养状况得到了明显改善 ,但碘缺乏尚未得到彻底纠正     

The nutrient intakes of women: dietary surveys in 1966 and 1983 compared

A survey of the diets of a random sample of 81 women in one of the South Wales' valleys was conducted in 1966. The results are compared with a similar survey conducted in 1983. Total energy intake was 16% lower in 1983 than in 1966, the proportion of this obtained from fat hardly differed (42 and 41% in 1966 and 1983, respectively). The average consumption of meat was greater by approximately 20% in 1983 and of potatoes and bread lower by 50% and 20%, respectively, than in 1966. Estimates of alcohol intake showed a very marked increase between the two surveys though this was largely a reflection of a fall in the proportion of women who consumed no alcohol during the week of the survey.     

甘肃省永靖县孕妇、哺乳期妇女及婴幼儿碘营养状况调查

目的 了解全民食盐加碘10年后碘盐覆盖率、合格碘盐食用率＞90%的地区孕妇和哺乳期妇女及婴幼儿的碘营养状况,评价碘盐作为人体碘的主要来源是否能满足碘缺乏病重点人群的碘营养需要和重点人群的碘营养状况.方法 在碘盐覆盖率、合格碘盐食用率＞90%的地区,随机选择不同生理时期的孕妇、哺乳期妇女及新生儿、周岁以内婴儿,对孕妇、哺乳期妇女进行尿碘检测和甲状腺功能测定,哺乳期妇女同时进行乳碘检测,新生儿进行促甲状腺激素(TSH)检测,周岁以内婴儿进行尿碘检测.结果 孕早、中、晚期,哺乳3个月以内和哺乳7个月以上的妇女,尿碘中位数分别为174.18、180.37、147.42、126.27和145.26 μg/L,除孕晚期妇女外其余各组妇女的尿碘中位数均达到了WHO推荐标准,但仍有部分重点人群存在碘营养不足;婴儿的TSH均在新生儿甲状腺功能筛查正常参考值范围之内,TSH＞5μIU/ml所占的比例为14.5%;哺乳3个月以内和7个月以上的妇女,乳碘中位数分别为240.34 μg/L和121.78 μg/L.哺乳3个月以内妇女,乳碘＜150 μg/L所占的比例低于哺乳7个月以上的妇女,统计学检验,P＜0.01;哺乳期妇女的乳碘与其婴儿的尿碘呈很好的相关性;孕妇、哺乳期妇女TSH不在正常参考值范围的占15.4%,TSH异常者主要分布在尿碘＜150 μg/L妇女中.结论 在碘盐覆盖率、合格碘盐食用率＞90%的地区,在饮食结构比较单一的情况下,碘盐作为主要的碘来源基本能满足孕妇、哺乳期妇女和婴幼儿的碘营养需要.但仍有部分人群存在碘营养不足,需加强特需人群的碘营养监测,将重点人群碘营养监测纳入常规监测,并采取适时适量补碘.     

Lifestyle, nutrient intake, iron status, and pregnancy outcome in pregnant women of advanced maternal age

The purpose of this study was to investigate how advanced maternal age influences lifestyle, nutrient intake, iron status, and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. The subjects of this study were 112 pregnant women who were receiving prenatal care at gynecologists located in Seoul. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their ages: those over age 35 were the advanced age group of pregnant women (AP) and those under age 35 were the young age group of pregnant women (YP). General factors, nutrient intakes, iron status, and pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were then compared. It was found that 72.5% of the YP group and 51.2% of the AP group had pre-pregnancy alcohol drinking experience; indicating that the YP group had more pre-pregnancy alcohol consumption than the AP group (P < 0.05). The only difference found in nutrient intake between the two groups was their niacin intakes which were 16.83 ± 8.20 mg/day and 13.76 ± 5.28 mg/day, respectively. When gestational age was shorter than 38.7 weeks, the average infant birth weight was 2.95 ± 0.08 kg, and when gestational age was longer than 40 weeks, it averaged at about 3.42 ± 0.08 kg. In other words, as gestational age increased, infant birth weight increased (P < 0.0001), and when maternal weight increased more than 15 kg, the infant birth weight increased significantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, in order to secure healthy human resources, with respect to advanced aged women, it is necessary to intervene by promoting daily habits that consist of strategic increases in folate and calcium intake along with appropriate amounts of exercise.     

Pyridoxine supplementation of lactating mothers: relation to maternal nutrition status and vitamin B-6 concentrations in milk

Vitamin B-6 status, assessed by plasma pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) concentrations, and vitamin B-6 concentrations in breast milk were examined in 47 lactating mothers supplemented with different amounts of pyridoxine.HCl (PN.HCl) during pregnancy and the first 6 mo of lactation. PLP concentrations in cord blood and maternal plasma at 2 d postpartum and vitamin B-6 concentration in colostrum were positively correlated with the amount of PN.HCl supplementation prenatally (r = 0.71, p less than 0.001; r = 0.74, p less than 0.001; and r = 0.78, p less than 0.001, respectively). Correlations between the amounts of PN.HCl supplementation postnatally and plasma PLP concentrations increased with the length of supplementation. Plasma PLP concentrations were also correlated with vitamin B-6 concentrations of milk samples, which were obtained on the same day as plasma. PN.HCl supplements between 2.5 and 4.0 mg/d (2.1-3.4 mg PN equivalents) ensured vitamin B-6 adequacy of the mother and maintained relatively saturated concentrations of vitamin B-6 in breast milk.     

Micronutrient status in lactating mothers before and after introduction of fortified flour: cross-sectional surveys in Maela refugee camp

Background

Deficiency of micronutrients is common in refugee populations.

Objectives

Identify deficiencies and whether provided supplements and wheat flour fortified with 10 micronutrients impacts upon status among breast-feeding women from Maela refugee camp.

Methods

Two sequential cross-sectional studies were conducted in different groups of lactating mothers at 12?weeks postpartum. The first survey was before and the second 4–5?months after micronutrient fortified flour (MFF) had been provided to the camp (in addition to the regular food basket). Iron status and micronutrients were measured in serum, whole blood, and in breast milk samples.

Results

Iron and zinc deficiency and anemia were highly prevalent while low serum retinol and thiamine deficiency were rarely detected. Iron and zinc deficiency were associated with anemia, and their proportions were significantly lower after the introduction of MFF (21 vs. 35% with soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) >8.5?mg/L, P?=?0.042, and 50 vs. 73% with serum zinc <0.66?mg/L, P?=?0.001). Serum sTfR, whole-blood thiamine diphosphate (TDP) and serum β-carotene were significant predictors (P?Conclusions High whole-blood TDP and breast milk thiamine reflected good compliance to provided thiamine; high prevalence of iron deficiency suggested insufficient dietary iron and low acceptance to ferrous sulfate supplements. MFF as an additional food ration in Maela refugee camp seemed to have an effect in reducing both iron and zinc deficiency postpartum.     

The influence of daily hassles and role balance on health status: a study of mothers of grade school children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of daily hassles and role balance on health status. Participants (146 mothers) completed a self-administered survey that included assessments of daily hassles, role balance, and health status. Based on hierarchal regression analyses with interaction terms, daily hassles and role balance directly influenced the mothers' health status. The results also indicated that role balance had a buffering effect on the relationship between daily hassles and health status. These findings lend empirical support to the theory of role balance.