Open AccessFood insecurity and perceived stress but not HIV infection are independently associated with lower energy intakes among lactating Ghanaian women
Author(s) -
Addo Adolphina A.,
Marquis Grace S.,
Lartey Anna A.,
PérezEscamilla Rafael,
Mazur Robert E.,
Harding Kimberly B.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
maternal and child nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1740-8709
pISSN - 1740-8695
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-8709.2009.00229.x
Subject(s) - medicine , anthropometry , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , environmental health , niacin , food insecurity , vitamin , riboflavin , socioeconomic status , demography , population , food science , food security , immunology , ecology , chemistry , sociology , biology , agriculture
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive women living in low‐income communities may have difficulty meeting the increased energy requirements that are associated with both lactation and HIV infection. Data on household food security and maternal socio‐demographic characteristics, perceived stress, anthropometry, reported illness, dietary intakes and preferences, and exposure to nutrition education were collected from 70 lactating women [16 seropositive (HP), 27 seronegative (HN), and 27 who refused to be tested and had unknown HIV status (HU)]. Diet was assessed with three 24‐h recalls (one market day, one weekend day, and one non‐market weekday). Data were collected at 8.4 (SD = 4.7) months postpartum. Most women (74.3%) reported being in good health at the time of study. Three‐day mean energy intakes did not differ by HIV status [HP: 12 000 kJ (SD = 3600), HN: 12 600 kJ (SD = 5100), and HU: 12 300 kJ (SD = 4800); P = 0.94]. Protein, fat, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and zinc intakes also did not differ by group ( P > 0.10). There was a higher proportion of women with high stress levels in food insecure households compared with food secure households (55.6% vs. 26.5%; P = 0.01). Energy intake was independently negatively associated with food insecurity [high: 11 300 kJ (SD = 3500) vs. low: 13 400 kJ (SD = 5400), respectively; P = 0.050] and stress [high: 10 800 kJ (SD = 2800) vs. low: 13 400 kJ (SD = 5300), P = 0.021]. These results suggest the need to integrate multi‐dimensional interventions that address economic and mental health constraints which may limit some women's ability to meet their dietary needs.