Food consumption patterns and dietary diversity of pregnant women living in a peri‐urban area of Guatemala City

Between 9 and 14 24‐hour food recalls were collected from 52 Guatemalan women in their third trimester of pregnancy, living in a peri‐urban community of Guatemala City. Dietary patterns were examined in terms of amount and frequency of all foods and beverages consumed, sources of energy and protein, and dietary diversity. A total of 254 different items were reported over 706 women‐days; within subject number ranged from 34 to 80 in 14 days. Only seven items were reported by all women; nearly one‐third of the items (N=76) were reported only once. Tortillas accounted for approximately 25% of daily energy and protein, and half of the grain product consumption. Less than 5% of the food items accounted for 75% of the daily energy and protein intakes. Dietary diversity correlated significantly with meat and dairy product consumption, but not with protein intakes. Despite the apparent high diversity of the diets, the majority of foods were consumed infrequently and contributed minimally to energy and protein intakes.

Key words:

• Food intake
• food patterns
• food habits
• dietary diversity
• pregnancy
• Guatemala City
• peri‐urban nutrition
• repeat 24‐hour recall

Notes

Supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Food Security Centre, University of Guelph.

Address reprint requests and all correspondence to Sian L. Fitzgerald, Division of Applied Human Nutrition, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, NIG 2W1

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R.S. Gibson

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