Lactation and pregnancy in Iran. II. Diet and nutritional status
Geissler, C.; Calloway, D.H.; Margen, S.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 31(2): 341-354
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9165 PMID: 623055 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/31.2.341Document Number: 448392
Dietary intake in the 3rd month postpartum and nutritional status during pregnancy close to term were assessed in Iranian urban women of (LSE) low socioeconomic status and (MSE) middle socioeconomic status as part of a study investigating nutrition, hormonal status, and lactation in a population where lactation failure is a serious problem. Dietary intake was assessed by the 24-hour recall method. The greatest differential in food groups consumed was in animal products, fruit, and vegetables. Intake of nutrients = or than 80% of that recommended to both socioeconomic groups were energy, vitamin B6, folacin, calcium, iron, and zinc. In the LSE group, only average intakes of vitamin C, thiamin, and protein met the standards. Significant differences were found between the socioeconomic groups in hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum total protein, and protein fractions, but not in weight and height. The only parameters of nutritional status significantly correlated with adequacy of lactation were postpartum weight and % of standard weight for height in the LSE group, and hematocrit values in the MSE group. Differences between pregnant and postpartum individual values of the blood parameters were in general greater in the MSE group than the LSE group.