Wednesday, June 25, 2008 More pregnant women malnourished: NCC
MOST pregnant Filipino women are malnourished, said the National Nutritional Council (NNC) yesterday.
Based on studies conducted by the NNC, pregnant women nationwide lacked iron.
“We only have a 28.8 percent adequacy of iron in pregnant women,” said Regional Nutrition coordinator Dr. Parolita Mission.
Generally, the NNC reported, pregnant women lacked most required nutrients needed during pregnancy.
Next to iron, pregnant women had a 48.1 percent adequacy of riboflavin, 52.3 percent adequacy of calcium, 73.6 percent adequacy of vitamin C or ascorbic acid, 78.4
percent adequacy of energy and 84.7 percent adequacy of protein.
The only requirement level of nutrients met by pregnant women was niacin, which had a general adequacy level of 112.7 percent.
Nutritional value
Mission said that the low nutritional level of pregnant women was attributed to the lack of food intake in terms of quality.
“And their food choices are lacking. Usually, the food they pick does not meet the nutritional requirements of pregnant women,” added Mission.
She said that during pregnancy, women also tend to be picky with food, and cannot eat just about anything. This also plays a big factor why pregnant women turn out to be malnourished during pregnancy.
To ensure that pregnant women stay healthy, fathers should also take an active part in monitoring the pregnant mother’s food intake.
Mothers likewise, should also practice breastfeeding in order to ensure the newborn’s adequate nutritional intake.
On July 13, the NNC will hold a “Buntis Congress” that will host services for pregnant women.
Meanwhile, the nutrition council is also campaigning for natural childbirth.
“We have a high maternal mortality rate,” said Mission.
The NNC is discouraging pregnant women from giving birth at home, and advising them to give birth at hospitals.
“We are advising women to give birth under the supervision of skilled personnel,” added Mission.
Skilled personnel should handle the birth, she said. Skilled personnel being midwives, doctors and nurses. (EPB)
