Consumo alimentar de ácidos graxos ômega-3 e sua relação com fatores socioeconômicos de gestantes residentes em Santo Antônio de Jesus-Ba

Abstract

Objective: To assess the dietary intake of fatty acids, with a focus on omega-3 series, according to socioeconomic factors, pregnant women living in Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia. Methodology: it is a study conducted using data from a larger cohort, which evaluated the dietary intake of pregnant women living in the urban area, with eighteen years or older, enrolled in prenatal service of St. Anthony of Jesus. Demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric and food consumption data were collected. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Office Excel software and analyzed using SPSS software. For analysis of categorical variables absolute and relative frequencies were used. Continuous variables were described by central tendency and dispersion measures. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to analyze the data normality. For the statistical analysis we used the Student t test and analysis of variance. 5% significance level was adopted. Results: The sample consisted of 129 pregnant women with a mean age of 27 ± 5.92 years and mean gestational age was 19.89 ± 6.68 weeks gestation. There was excessive consumption of omega-6 and adequate intake of omega-3 for most pregnant women. Furthermore, one can observe insufficient intake of DHA and EPA + DHA for most pregnant women. Pregnant women who had only primary education had higher intake of all nutrients evaluated and the younger pregnant women had higher intakes of EPA. Conclusion: The data collected pointed to the excessive consumption of omega-6 and adequate intake of omega-3 by most pregnant women. Observed a higher intake of all nutrients assessed among women with lower education.