6th NATIONAL NUTRITION SURVEY, PHILIPPINES:

DIETARY STATUS OF PREGNANT AND LACTATING WOMEN

MA. REGINA A. PEDRO,Ph.D., CORAZON M. CERDENA

MARINA B. VARGAS, MILDRED O. GUIRINDOLA and ZENAIDA S. ISADA

ABSTRACT

The nutrition and health of a mother has an impact on the nutrition condition of
her child. Only a well-nourished mother is in a position to optimally nourish her
child, thus, good nutrition before, during and after pregnancy is essential. This
study was conducted in order to provide scientific data on the prevailing dietaries
of the pregnant and the lactating women. Specifically, it aimed to assess current
dietary intake and nutrient adequacy of this population group; and to be able to
compare their food and nutrient intake with the past surveys.

This study was part of the Food Consumption Survey Component of the Sixth
National Nutrition Survey carried out by the Food and Nutrition Research
Institute, Department of Science and Technology. A total of 589 pregnant and
1,205 lactating women from the statistically selected households of the 6th NNS
and FIES were included as subjects. Food consumption of each subject were
assessed using a two-independent day 24-hr food record collected by locally
trained nutritionists. Food Intakes were converted into as purchased or edible
portion values using the Individual Dietary Evaluation System (IDES), and
nutrient values of the food consumed were computed using the Food
Composition Table. Nutrient adequacies were evaluated against the
Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intake (RENI) using the SPSS processing to
generate results.

The study revealed an average daily food intake of 810 g and 799 g for pregnant
and lactating women, respectively. The diet of this population group composed
mainly of rice and products, fish and products, vegetables and fruits. Rice,
cooking oil, sugar, coffee, egg, vegetables such as squash fruits, string beans
and eggplant, and banana saba were the most frequently consumed food items
found in their diet. In terms of quality of the diet, their nutrient intake is grossly
inadequate except for niacin. Their energy intake met only about three-fourths of
RENI. Both of their iron intakes were very inadequate hardly-reaching one-third
of their RENI.

The results of this study serve as important inputs in nutrition program planning.
Attention should be given to the improvement of the dietary intake of this
population group. The use of more nutrient-dense foods and increased
consumption should be emphasized in nutrition education to improve their dietary
quality and intake of essential nutrients. Nutrition education focusing on the
importance of good nutrition in mothers and its consequences to their children
should be strengthened. Nutrient supplementation, particularly iron, should be a
priority concern among pregnant and lactating women as this was very
inadequate in their diet.
INTRODUCTION

Pregnancy and lactation are periods of high nutritional needs. A pregnant woman
needs more food than a non-pregnant woman not only to satisfy her own
nutritional requirements but also to meet the nutrient demands of the growing
fetus. A lactating woman also demands for higher nutrients necessary for milk
production. If the diet of the lactating woman is not sufficient to meet the high
requirements, her reserves laid down during the period of pregnancy is utilized.
Poor nutritional status of a pregnant woman or a lactating mother manifests in
the nutritional status of her child.

As part of the Food Consumption Survey Component of the 6th National Nutrition
Survey, data on food intake of the pregnant and lactating women were studied.
Information on the dietary status of this population group are useful in
ascertaining the contribution of food and diet in identifying programs and food-
based strategies to address nutrition problems.

OBJECTIVES

General:

To provide scientific data on the prevailing dietaries of pregnant and

lactating women.

Specific:

• To assess current dietary intake and nutrient adequacy of this population

group;
• To compare the food and nutrient intake with the 1993 survey.
 METHODOLOGY

SAMPLING DESIGN AND COVERAGE

Stratified Multi-Stage Sampling Design

4 Replicates from the Master

Sample of 2003 Family
Income and Expenditure 1 Replicate of FIES
Survey (FIES) Master Sample 17 Regions All Regions
for 2003 National 79 Provinces (except Batanes)
Nutrition Survey

1 barangay or continuous
Primary barangay with at least 500
1st Stage
Sampling Unit households (n=700)

Continuous areas in
2nd Stage Enumeration barangay with 150-200
Areas households (n=790)

All pregnant and lactating

3rd Stage woman from the FIES and
NNS households
(Pregnant=589;
Lactating=1,215)
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Interview

Questionnaire Data Encoding

and Processing
RESULTS

Food consumption pattern of Food items most commonly consumed

pregnant women: Philippines, 2003 by pregnant women: Philippines, 2003

Mean energy and nutrient intake of Nutrient sources of energy of

pregnant women: Philippines, 2003 pregnant women: Philippines, 2003

Percentage contribution to nutrient intake of

pregnant women: Philippine, 2003
 Comparison of food intake of pregnant women by
food groups: Philippines, 1993 and 2003

Food consumption pattern of lactating Food items most commonly consumed

women: Philippines, 2003 by lactating women: Philippines, 2003
Mean energy and nutrient intake of lactating women:
Philippines, 2003

Nutrient source of energy of lactating women:

Philippines, 2003
Percentage contribution to nutrient intake of lactating women:
Philippines, 2003

Comparison of food intake of lactating women by food groups:

Philippines, 1993 and 2003
CONCLUSIONS

• Results revealed a pattern of rice-fish-vegetable combination,

complemented with a little serving of fruit in pregnant and lactating women

• The average total daily food intake of this population group were only 810
g and 799 g, respectively

• The low food intake of the pregnant and lactating women resulted in
glaring inadequacies in their nutrient intake.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Nutrition education should be strengthened focusing on the nutrition of

mothers and its consequences to their children.

• The use of more nutrient-dense foods and increased consumption should

be emphasized in nutrition education to improve their dietary quality and
intake of essential nutrients

• Iron supplementation should be a priority concern among pregnant and

lactating as this was very inadequate in their diet.

Science and Technology Project FNRI-DOST