Nutritional Pattern of Pregnant Women in the Cono Sur Micro-network in Tacna - Perú, 2024

Abstract

Objective: To identify the nutritional pattern of pregnant women in the Cono Sur Micro-network, Tacna 2024. Material and method: This was a quantitative, nonexperimental, cross-sectional, descriptive study, with a sample of 286 postpartum women. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, previously validated, was used. The CFCGA (Food Consumption Frequency Questionnaire) was organized into 13 food groups: Dairy and derivatives, proteins, vegetables, tubers, cereals and derivatives, fruits, nuts, olive oil, water, processed meats, other fats, industrial confectionery, sugars, and alcohol. To identify the nutritional pattern, three categories were established: Consumption less than recommended, recommended consumption, and consumption more than recommended, according to established requirements. Results: The nutritional pattern predominantly shows a lower-than-ecommended intake of dairy, vegetables, olive oil, and nuts, with 95.8%, 88.8%, 100%, and 72.7% of pregnant women, respectively.
Over half the women showed a recommended intake of fruits (61.9%) and water (68.2%). There was a higher-than-recommended intake of tubers (38.8%) and proteins (54.9%). Sugars were consumed more than once a day by 60.8%, and other fats were consumed daily by 68.2%. Regarding the consumption of recommended servings of basic food groups, 46% of pregnant women met the recommendation for one food group, and 1% for four food groups. Conclusion: The nutritional pattern of pregnant women does not follow the recommended number of daily servings required during pregnancy.