Abstract

ZAPATA, María Elisa et al. Nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women from Argentina. Diaeta [online]. 2016, vol.34, n.155, pp.33-40. ISSN 1852-7337.

A woman's nutritional status during pregnancy and breastfeeding is of key importance for her and for her child. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are physiological stages that deserve special attention due to the impact they exert on health in the short, mid and long term. The purpose of this study was to update the current state of knowledge about the nutritional dietary status of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Argentina. Method: A literature review and a critical analysis of scientific studies indexed in Pubmed, Bireme, Lilacs and Scielo were performed and governmental reports were compiled. Results: A good availability of information was observed concerning the dietary and nutrition status of pregnant women, with nation-wide representation of the anthropometric and dietary status, and the main deficiencies. Anthropometric assessment graphics, manuals, and guidelines have been recently published and web sites created in order to offer information to healthcare teams and the community. No studies for the assessment of the dietary and nutrition status of breastfeeding women were found, but there is informative material. Anaemia due to iron deficiencies, overweight and inadequate intake (iron, calcium, vitamin A and C and fiber), and/or excessive intake of nutrients (saturated fats, sugars and probably sodium) were the main problems found in pregnant women, there being no information about the intake of omega 3 fatty acids. Conclusion: Although there is enough information about nutrition in pregnant women, there is no data of breast-feeding mothers. The availability of accurate, reliable, valid and updated information is the first step to be able to account for the existing problems and their distribution, and it is of utmost importance upon defining actions tending to improve the status of pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, due to the impact and the transgenerational effect of these types of interventions.

Keywords : Pregnancy; Lactating women; Nutritional status; Feeding.

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