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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Obesity and Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418477
Research Project: Improving Public Health by Understanding Metabolic and Bio-Behavioral Effects of Following Recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Location: Obesity and Metabolism Research

Title: Trajectories of dietary energy, macro and micronutrient intake from the third trimester of pregnancy to 8.5 months postpartum among Brazilian women: The Mothers, Infants and Lactation Quality study

Author
item KURIHAYASHI, AY - Federal Rural University Of Rio De Janeiro
item SCHNEIDER, BRUNA - Federal Rural University Of Rio De Janeiro
item CUNHA FIGUEIREDO, AMANDA - Federal Rural University Of Rio De Janeiro
item TORRES SILVA, GABRIELA - Federal Rural University Of Rio De Janeiro
item DE SOUZA CAMPOS, ADRIANA - Federal Rural University Of Rio De Janeiro
item PAULA, DANIELA - Rio De Janeiro State University
item DE BARROS MUCCI, DANIELA - Rio De Janeiro State University
item Allen, Lindsay
item KAC, GILBERTO - Rio De Janeiro State University

Submitted to: Maternal and Child Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2025
Publication Date: 8/29/2025
Citation: Kurihayashi, A., Schneider, B.C., Cunha Figueiredo, A.C., Torres Silva, G., de Souza Campos, A.D., Paula, D.P.,de Barros Mucci, D., Allen, L.H., Kac, G. 2025. Trajectories of dietary energy, macro and micronutrient intake from the third trimester of pregnancy to 8.5 months postpartum among Brazilian women: The Mothers, Infants and Lactation Quality study. Maternal and Child Nutrition. 22(1). Article e70089. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.70089.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.70089

Interpretive Summary: During pregnancy and lactation maternal nutritional requirements are elevated. To investgate, we tracked maternal dietary intake of energy, macro- and micronutrients, and micronutrient adequacy from pregnancy to nine months postpartum. Mother-infant pairs from Rio de Janeiro were followed from 28-35 gestational weeks (baseline). Two 24-hours dietary recalls were recorded during pregnancy, 1.0 to 3.49, 3.5 to 5.99 and 6.0 to 8.5 months postpartum.Energy, macro,- and micronutrient estimates from the foods were calculated from Brazilian Food Composition Table, and Dietary Reference Intakes (EAR/AI) were used to calculate micronutrient intake. 367 women provided valid dietary data. Carbohydrate intake decreased about 2.49 g by month from pregnancy to nine months postpartum and fiber intake decreased 0.35 g. Total fat intake increased 0.53 g by month over time. The average intake of vitamins B1, B2, B9, and C decreased over time, while B12 and vitamin E increased. At pregnancy, vitamins D (29.7%), B6 (53.1%) and iron (60.1%) were the most inadequate; during postpartum, vitamins A and C revealed the highest reduction. We found a a steady trajectory for energy and protein, a discrete reduction in carbohydrate and fiber intake, and an increase in the total fat intake from pregnancy to nine months postpartum, accompanied by a general decline in micronutrient intake.

Technical Abstract: Background and Aims: Pregnancy and lactation increased maternal nutritional requirements. This study evaluated maternal dietary intake of energy, macro, and micronutrients trajectories and micronutrients adequacy from pregnancy to nine months postpartum. Methods: Mother-infant pairs were recruited from a hospital in Rio de Janeiro and were enrolled between 28-35 gestational weeks (baseline). Two recall 24 hours were collected during pregnancy, 1.0 to 3.49, 3.5 to 5.99 and 6.0 to 8.5 months postpartum. Implausible energy intake (<600 and >6000 kcal/day) were excluded. Energy, macro, and micronutrients estimates were calculated from Brazilian Food Composition Table and Dietary Reference Intakes (EAR/AI) used to calculate micronutrient intake adequacy. Data were standardized in z-score and generalized mixed-effect models used to assess the trajectories. Results: A total of 367 women with valid dietary data were studied (age mean=27±6 years). Carbohydrate intake decreased around 2.49 g by month from pregnancy to nine months postpartum and fiber intake decreased 0.35 g. Total fat intake increased 0.53 g by month over time. The intake mean of B1, B2, B9, and vitamin C decreased over time, while B12 and vitamin E increased. At pregnancy, vitamins D (29.7%), B6 (53.1%) and iron (60.1%) showed the lowest adequacy percentage. At postpartum, vitamins A and C showed the greatest reduction. Conclusion: There were a steady trajectory for energy and protein, a discrete reduction in carbohydrate and fiber intake, and an increase in the total fat intake from pregnancy to nine months postpartum. In general, there was a decline in micronutrient intake over time.