Nutritional status of Brazilian lactating women

Dietary intake and anthropometric measurements (body weight and skinfold thickness) of 42 lactating mothers were monitored for six months postpartum. Dietary questionnaires were also applied. Nutrient consumption was compared with the recommended dietary allowances. The corporal weight decreased gradually over the period. The thigh skinfold was the one that reached statistically significant variation. The mean energy intake was 1,911 kcal/day and 2,144 kcal/day during first and sixth months respectively. The daily most consumed foods, within the respective food groups, were: rice, bread, beans, milk, fish, bananas, oranges, fruit juices and oil. The diets were hyperproteic during the studied period. Dietary inadequacies regarding micronutrients were also observed, especially for folate, Zn and calcium. These results indicate that the Brazilian lactating women of low socioeconomic status are at high risk of energy and nutrient inadequacies. This information may be of great value to improve lactating women’s diets.