February

February 2001: Highlights from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Below are summaries of several nutrition research articles published in the February 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. For more information, to receive a copy of a JADA article or this issue’s table of contents, or to interview an article’s author(s), please call Bridget McManamon 800/877-1600, ext. 4769; or e-mail bmcmana@eatright.org.

Women digest the importance of folate

A new study shows that women are making an effort to consume more folic acid in relation to pregnancy. Researchers from the University of Iowa evaluated a small sample of well-educated women to see if they met the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for folate, zinc and vitamin B-12 during pregnancy and postpartum, and how much of these vitamins came from food versus supplements. The participants recorded food and supplement intake for seven days during the second trimester, twice during the third trimester and once at four and six months postpartum. Researchers found that the women met or exceeded the RDA of folic acid during pregnancy with the aid of supplemental folic acid as a major contributor to total intake. However, total folate intake was lower postpartum due to decreased supplemental intake. Zinc intake from food was similar during pregnancy and postpartum, but supplemental intake was lower postpartum. Vitamin B-12 intake was also lower postpartum but this was due to a decrease of food intake. Since at least 40 percent of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, researchers urge women of child-bearing age to consume at least 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before, during and after pregnancy.

Native Americans and breast-feeding practices

According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Native American mothers have a lower breast-feeding incidence and duration when compared to Whites. In addition, nearly one-half of Native Americans have an annual household income under the poverty level and few obtain prenatal care, especially in the first trimester. With that in mind, researchers from the University of Idaho conducted a study examining breast-feeding rates and attitudes among Native Americans enrolled in the WIC program. Through questionnaires they found that 62 percent of the women in their sample initiated breast-feeding. The median duration of breast-feeding was 21 weeks. Surprisingly mothers who had less than a high school education breast-fed significantly longer (23 weeks) than those with a high school diploma or more (11 weeks). Also, single mothers breast-fed longer (25 weeks) when compared to married mothers (9 weeks). Asked what would encourage breast-feeding, 90 percent said it promotes bonding, 88 percent said it’s healthier for baby and 73 percent said it’s healthier for mom. Asked what would prevent breast-feeding, 23 percent said breast pain, 18 percent said work/school, and 13 percent said concern with milk supply. Researchers found results to be surprising and encouraging. They feel credit for this success can very likely be given to the effective education provided by WIC counselors.

Coupons help with fruit/veggie consumption

Poor diet and physical inactivity are two powerful behavioral determinants of chronic disease. Researchers from the Michigan Department of Community Health and Michigan State University evaluated the Michigan Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to determine its effect on fruit and vegetable consumption behavior. The program is part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) that provides fruit and vegetable coupons and education to WIC participants in addition to the regular food package. Four hundred and fifty-five women participated in the study where they were assigned to one of four interventions: education about the use, storage and nutritional value, distribution of farmers’ market coupons, both education and coupons, or no intervention. A self-administered questionnaire before and after intervention measured attitudes and intake of fruits and vegetables. Researchers found that both the education interventions and coupon interventions had positive effects. Coupons had a direct effect on increasing fruit and vegetable consumption behavior but no effect on attitudes. Education had a direct effect on attitudes and consumption. But the maximum impact of the intervention was achieved through a combination of education and coupons. Researchers state that a low-income population may be more likely to increase its fruit and vegetable consumption behavior when incentives such as coupons improve affordability.