Dietary Intake of Vitamin A and Macronutrients among Pregnant Women in Ngaoundere Town, Adamawa Region, Cameroon

Abstract

This paper examines the risk of Vitamin A deficiency among selected pregnant women in Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon. A total of one hundred (100) pregnant women attending ante natal visits at the Regional Hospital in Ngaoundere were involved in a survey conducted in 2012 which used a 24-hour dietary recall to assess their dietary intake. Food models were used to assist memory and portion sizes of food taken. Carotenoids were quantified in the meals commonly consumed, as well as proteins, sugar, fibers and oil, nutrients intervening in carotenoids absorption and vitamin A metabolism. The results indicated that the dietary intake of vitamin A was inadequate with 37.5% of the selected pregnant women exposed to acute vitamin A deficiency, while 20% of them were exposed to the severe form. The daily consumption of vitamin A was about 539.09 ± 43.09 μg, corresponding to a contribution of 67.39% to the vitamin A requirement of the pregnant women. The dietary intake of macronutrients was also inadequate with a daily consumption of 57.28 ± 12 g for oils, 177.88 ± 29 g for sugars, 47.34 ± 11 g for proteins and 11.28 ± 3 g for fibers corresponding respectively to a contribution of 63.6%, 70.8%, 78.90% and 45.1% of these nutrients requirement in these women. Given that over 50% of the women surveyed were exposed to vitamin A deficiency, there is a need for urgent intervention programs in the area to alleviate this situation.