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Multicenter Study
. 2022 Jan;156(1):34-41.
doi: 10.1002/ijgo.13655. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Profile of calories and nutrients intake in a Brazilian multicenter study of nulliparous women

Maria J O Miele  1 , Renato T Souza  1 , Iracema M Calderon  2 , Francisco E Feitosa  3 , Débora F Leite  1   4 , Edilberto A Rocha Filho  4 , Janete Vettorazzi  5 , Jussara Mayrink  1 , Matias C Vieira  6 , Rodolfo C Pacagnella  1 , José G Cecatti  1 ; Preterm SAMBA study group
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Profile of calories and nutrients intake in a Brazilian multicenter study of nulliparous women

Maria J O Miele et al. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the calorie intake and nutritional content of the maternal diet in regions with different culinary traditions and typical foods, and to understand the nutritional profile so as to provide information about the consumption of this population and promote maternal and perinatal health.

Methods: From a cohort of 1145 pregnant women with diverse socio-backgrounds we analyzed the dietary characteristics profile according to three guidelines and compared the differences between regions of Brazil.

Results: Women from the northeast had the lowest level of income, occupation, education, and age (P < 0.001). Intakes of unprocessed/minimally processed foods and processed foods were more prevalent in women from the northeast than in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). The consumption of dairy products and vegetables was less than the recommended intake, with lower intake in southern/southeastern women (P < 0.001). This study showed a lower consumption of dairy and vegetables, with a shortfall of vitamins K and D, iron, calcium, folate, magnesium, and chromium from natural and fortified foods. We observed a greater consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed food in women from the northeast of Brazil.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate the importance of differentiating the source of calorie intake between regional nutritional guidance and the diversity of local cuisine.

Keywords: energy intake; food consumption; maternal nutrition; pregnancy; ultra-processed foods.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest. The lead author affirms that this manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent account of the study being reported. The reporting of this work is compliant with STROBE guidelines. The lead author affirms that no important aspects of the study have been omitted.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flowcharts of eligible participants from analysis and final sample
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Calorie intake and estimated energy requirement (EER) per region in Brazil. P value: Mann–Whitney t‐tests. Estimated energy requirement was calculated according to dietary reference intakes, considering maternal age (<19 and ≥19 years). Colored dots represent the EER recommendation, according to each region and calorie consumption per pregnant woman. Kcal, caloric intake per woman according to the region of the country
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
The distribution of calorie intake according to the degree of food processing (NOVA Food) by regions of Brazil. The P value shows average caloric intake between groups according to the degree of food processing (Mann–Whitney U tests). The colored points represent intake per woman
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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