Comparison of Energy and Nutrient Intakes in Pregnant Women in Sabzevar with Dietary Reference Intakes

Many factors effect on pregnancy and its outcome. Although, the role of nutrition on the outcome of pregnancy has not been confirmed, it was determined that the nutritional status of pregnant woman affect the pregnancy outcome considerably. Therefore, this study was done to compare the energy and nutrient intake of pregnant women in Sabzevar city (north-east Iran) with the values recommended by Dietary Reference Intakes.Methods and Material: This cross-sectional analytic study was done on 561 pregnant women who were selected by using cluster sampling method from all the municipal regions of Sabzevar city. They are including who no disease and like to be in this research. Their nutritional intake in the last 24 hours was recorded, using the food recall technique, by filling a questionnaire for three days. The data of the nutritional intake were analyzed by using the Food Processor (CAT-2 factory and the U.S.A country) software for each person to find the exact amount of nutrient each woman had received. Also, their pregnancy time was evaluated by sonography. The obtained data were statistically analyzed by SPSS version 11.5. Descriptive statistics and one sample t test were used to compare data with the values recommended by Dietary Reference Intakes. The mean pregnancy duration was 4/29±3/2 months. The results of our study showed that mean energy and all nutrient intakes except vitamin B12, phosphorous, sodium, and selenium in our study sample were less than the values recommended by Dietary Reference Intake. Having considered the low nutritional status in pregnant women in our region, educational programs regarding the recommended nutrition for pregnant women should be prepared.