Effects of nutrition education on the dietary patterns of two socio-economic groups of pregnant females in Dakahlia Governorate (Egypt)
el-Shabrawy Ali, M.
Journal of the Egyptian Medical Association 54(11): 829-840
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0013-2411 PMID: 5162725 Document Number: 33742
In the governorate of Dakahlia, Egypt, the average daily nutrient intakes of 583 pregnant women were calculated from estimates of one-day food consumption. They were in 4 groups, with adequate or low income and with some or no nutrition education. Only the 2 groups with nutrition education ate citrus fruits during the winter and their diets were similar, except that the richer group ate more of the expensive foods such as meat, milk and eggs. The mean daily energy intake for all groups was ample. The proportion of energy supplied by total cereal foods ranged from 52% for the richer educated group to 78% for the poorer uneducated group. Except for the richer educated group, the mean protein intake of each group was below that recommended. Average daily Ca intake was low except for the richer educated group, whose intake was not significantly different from the NRC value (NAR 34, 6163). Intakes of Fe, thiamin and niacin were adequate for all 4 groups, the lowest mean intake for each nutrient occurring in the poorer uneducated and the highest in the richer educated group. Intakes of riboflavin and vitamin A were below the recommended intakes in all except the richer educated group. All groups had a low intake of ascorbic acid. Most of the women showed some dietary inadequacies, but those with nutrition education, whatever their income, did appear to eat a more nutritious diet than those without any nutrition education.