Evaluation of food consumption in a sample of pregnant women from Jordan

Abstract EN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the food and nutrient intake of Jordanian women and compare the intake with the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) (IOM, 2011).

A convenience sample of 103 pregnant women (18-40 years old) was selected from three different rural villages of the Al-Balqa' district of Jordan.

Data were collected using the developed and validated self-report Questionnaire.

The most frequent source of nutritional advice for pregnant women was medical staff followed by mother and other family members (47.6 % and 30.1 %, respectively).

More than 50 % of the respondents reported that they did not eat breakfast, with lack of appetite given as the main cause.

The average daily consumption of protein, carbohydrate and fat of pregnant women was 65.2 g, 272.6 g and 55.9 g, respectively.

The mean daily intakes obtained by the mothers were lower than references for protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, folic acid and calcium.

Mean daily intakes of vitamin E, zinc and magnesium were in excess of the recommended values of the standards.

Special educational programs are strongly recommended for pregnant women and integrated strategies should be considered to promote increased intakes to meet nutrient recommendations.