Abstract
We investigated the food and nutrient intakes during pregnancy and lactation by Japanese women. One hundred ninety-six pregnant women were divided into two groups: one in the first half of pregnancy (<20 weeks of gestation) and the other in the latter half of pregnancy (≥20 weeks of gestation). In addition, 97 lactating women (≤16 weeks after delivery, excepting those on complete formula feeding) were incorporated into the lactating group. Nutrient intake was calculated according to the Standard Tables of Food Composition in Japan, 5th revised edition.
Almost all food and nutrient intakes were higher in the lactating group than in the first half of pregnancy group. The consumption of fish was markedly higher in the lactating group, and the intakes of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, EPA and DHA, were also higher. The pregnant and the lactating groups made efforts to increase the intake of calcium, iron and dietary fiber. We provisionally calculated that the calcium, iron and dietary fiber intakes by 85% of the subjects were less than the levels in the Recommended Dietary Allowances in Japan, 6th revised edition (6th RDA). However, the pregnant and the lactating groups made efforts to decrease the salt, fat and energy intakes such that the levels in the 6th RDA were met.
