Linoleic (18:2n-6) and alpha-linolenic (18:3n-3) fatty acids consumption assessment in two cohorts of pregnant women

• Grant number: 14/25637-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2015
• End date: June 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutritional Analysis of Population
• Principal Investigator: Maria Antonieta de Barros Leite Carvalhaes
• Grantee: Letícia Garcia Vasconcelos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The gestational period is a stage where there are large physiological, psychological and nutritional changes. The nutrient requirements, which will meet the growth and development of the fetus, increase; many dietary components influence on the health of both the mother and the child. The omega-3 and omega-6 are examples of these nutrients, because according to the literature, these fatty acids may be beneficial for mother and child, such as: decreased risk of preeclampsia and preterm birth, may also positively influence in weight and length at birth, in head circumference and decrease the chances of the baby being born small for gestational age, as well contribute to gestational duration and adequate child's neurological development. International clinical studies show some benefits of omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy, but experimental studies pointing risks in this intervention. In this sense, there is need to review the consumption of these fatty acids in Brazilian pregnant women, aiming to support the definition of dietary guidelines and contribute to the debate on the appropriateness of intervention studies with supplementation in Brazil. The objectives of this project are: to estimate omega-3 consumption (18: 3n-3) and omega-6 (18: 2n-6) during pregnancy; rate this consumption in each trimester, to the recommendations; assess the adequacy of reason omega-6 / omega-3 in each trimester; investigate association between adequacy of intake of omega 3 and socioeconomic, demographic, pregnancy and nutritional factors. The data comes from food 6 24-hour recalls, obtained for large study called "Impact of an intervention to promote walking during leisure time and healthy eating in pregnant women attending the Family Health Strategy: a controlled cohort study", supported by FAPESP (aid research). This study is an additional study or puppy that cited project, whose primary objective was to evaluate the impact of promoting healthy eating in prenatal care on the consumption of fruits and vegetables, soft drinks and biscuits for pregnant women. The population is made up of two cohorts of low obstetric risk pregnant women, being: a cohort (A) composed of pregnant women captured in the Family Health Units and assisted in prenatal care by professionals who participated in an educational intervention on healthy eating in pregnancy and band (B), for pregnant women in Basic Units of Traditional Health, whose professionals were not involved in the intervention. 2 dietary recalls were applied in each trimester, making a total of 1765 surveys, whose typing in the Nutrition Data System for Research software began in February 2014 and was completed in February 2015. The candidate student HF bag participated in this typing as a volunteer, this being a technical nature activity. During the work, expressed interest in the analysis of the consumption of specific nutrients. Stimulated, prepared this research project. Its activities will now be scientific in nature: it will deepen in the literature on the subject, will the consistency analysis and cleaning the database, process the omega consumption data 3:06 this population of pregnant women examine their suitability in relation to the DRIs, estimating the percentage of inadequacy, investigate associated factors and produce a scientific paper with the most important results. (AU)