Saudi Medical Journal
Volume 27, Issue 7, 2006, Pages 1019-1021

Dietary intake in immigrant Arabian pregnant women (Article)

Alevizos A.G.* , Stamatiou K.N. , Lacroix R.E. , Natzar M.A. , Mihas C.C. , Bovis K.D. , Panagopoulos P.P. , Mariolis A.D.
  • a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzaneion General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece, Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Health Center of Vyronas, Alexandras General Hospital, Athens, Greece, 84 Koletti str., 18537 Piraeus, Greece
  • b Department of Urology, Tzaneion General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
  • c Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Health Center of Vyronas, Alexandras General Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandras General Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • e Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Health Center of Vyronas, Alexandras General Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • f Department of Urology, Tzaneion General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
  • g Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzaneion General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
  • h Department of General Practice/Family Medicine, Health Center of Vyronas, Alexandras General Hospital, Athens, Greece

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the intake of dietary micronutrients of immigrant Arabian pregnant women in Greece, in order to investigate the possible factors influencing food intake and affecting the overall nutritional profile. Methods: A dietary assessment of 497 immigrant Arabian pregnant women, admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Outpatient Clinic, Tzaneion General Hospital, Piraeus city, Vyronas Health Center, and Alexandras General Hospital, Athens, Greece was performed between August 2002 and August 2005, along with a comparison of micronutrient intake with the latest dietary recommendations. We carried out blood analysis, and measurements of serum micronutrients in all participants. Results: Four hundred and sixty-seven out of 497 (94%) women followed the traditional Arabian diet, and did not use drug medication or supplements during gestation. The mean dietary intakes of vitamin E, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, zinc, calcium and phosphorus in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters were similar to the respective values of the Dietary Reference Intake, while the mean dietary intake of vitamin D was relatively low. The mean intakes of folic acid and iron were lower than the respective values, while the mean intakes of vitamin A and magnesium was slightly higher. The results of the laboratory tests were normal in 470 women (94.5%) except those regarding iron deficiency anemia, which was relatively common. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that apart from iron and folic acid supplementation, no further changes would be necessary in the dietary patterns of immigrant Arabian pregnant women, since their traditional nutritional habits seem to provide all micronutrients in sufficient quantities.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

general hospital hospital admission immigrant nutritional requirement Asian iron deficiency anemia alpha tocopherol phosphorus human cyanocobalamin Vitamin D iron therapy zinc feeding behavior ascorbic acid nutritional assessment Arabs Calcium trace element magnesium laboratory test Humans Energy Intake retinol female hospital department Greece pregnancy Article iron intake adult blood analysis drug use vitamin supplementation folic acid iron Emigration and Immigration pregnant woman vitamin intake dietary reference intake food intake maternal nutrition nutritional status third trimester pregnancy dietary intake second trimester pregnancy
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33750286557&partnerID=40&md5=85195ae96d8eb3a01a022756bb8fdc9d
ISSN: 03795284
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English