Avaliação do consumo alimentar de gestantes atendidas pelas equipes de saúde da família do município de Itaqui/RS

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the food consumption of pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, assisted by teams of the Family Health Strategy of the municipality of Itaqui/RS. Therefore, a population-based study and cross-section drawing was performed, with a convenience sample of consecutive pregnant women aged less than 20 years, with single pregnancy and in the last trimester. Demographic data, gestational and food consumption were obtained through interviews face-to-face. To collect data from food consumption during pregnancy, we applied a previously validated questionnaire of food frequency. The information collected from the food consumption were quantitatively analyzed for nutritional composition and then compared to the recommendations of consumption for the last trimester. The results of this study show significant percentage of nutritional inadequacy in habitual consumption of pregnant women evaluated in the last trimester of pregnancy, especially in relation to energy and micronutrients such as calcium, iron, folate and vitamin D. Given the importance of adequate nutrition during pregnancy and the benefits of each nutrient and its appropriate contribution in this period, it emphasizes the importance of following a professional dietitian in clinical prenatal care, promoting educational activities focused on adopting healthy eating habits as a way of contributing to favorable pregnancy outcomes for both the mother and the baby.