The nutritional status of pregnant women in the Vaal Triangle, Gauteng, South Africa.

Background: A study completed in 2001 formed part of a clinical intervention trial under controlled conditions to examine the iron status of the pregnant and lactating women in the Vaal Triangle. The main purpose of that study was to determine the dietary intake and iron status of the sample population (n=431). Based on that study there is convincing evidence of poor dietary practices by pregnant women. According to Ramachandran (2002) low dietary intake in pregnancy will have adverse effects on the health and nutrition status of both the mother and her offspring. According to Norton (2002) there is strong epidemiological evidence of an association between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and low birth weight (LBW), especially in undernourished women. Aims: The main purpose of this study is to develop a cost effective, nutrient-dense food multimix for pregnant women in order to improve their nutritional status during pregnancy and to have healthier pregnancy outcomes. Methodology: According to the study by H.Kesa (2001) and Norton (2002) validated QFFQ's was used and statistically analysed. Trained fieldworkers conducted interviews with the help of food models to estimate portion size. Results: According to the study by H.Kesa (2001) the top ten items most often consumed by pregnant women were, in descending order: fresh milk, tea, coffee, cold drink, maize meal, fruit juice, bread rolls, magou (a fermented nonalcoholic drink), rice and sugar. Daily intakes (mean ± SD) for pregnant women were: 8425.71 ± 2279 kJ, 73.18 ± 23 g protein, 62.29 ± 23.7 g fat, 292.45 ± 72.2 g carbohydrate, 9.74 ± 3.8 mg iron. According to the blood samples 50% of pregnant women IDA. According to Norton (2002) majority of women with LBW babies are from developing countries where women begin pregnancy in a nutritionally disadvantaged state. Conclusions: Based on the results of the previous study, it is clear that food insecurity and malnutrition are evident in pregnant women in the Vaal Traingle. Implications: The development of a multimix will attempt to examine a cost- effective means to medium and long-term sustainable food based solutions to food and nutrition security of low-income, pregnant women in the Vaal Triangle in order to prevent malnutrition during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]