Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T01:48:31.535Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Subethnic variation in the diets of Moslem, Sikh and Hindu pregnant women at Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Birmingham

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

P. A. Wharton ,
P. M. Eaton  and
B. A. Wharton
P. A. Wharton
Affiliation:
Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Birmingham B13 9HE
P. M. Eaton
Affiliation:
Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Birmingham B13 9HE
B. A. Wharton
Affiliation:
Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Birmingham B13 9HE
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

1. The previous paper (Eaton et al. 1984) described the nutrient intake of pregnant Asian women attending Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Birmingham using the weighed and recall methods. The present paper describes the subethnic variation in nutrient intake by comparing the results from Pakistanis, Sikhs, Hindus and Bangladeshis and also describes food eaten by the pregnant women.

2. Generally. Sikhs had the highest intake of most nutrients (mean energy 7.5 MJ (1800 kcal)/d) and the greatest variety of foods; they ate chapatti and paratha but few ate meat. Hindus had a very similar diet but more ate meat, chicken and rice. Pakistanis had an energy intake about 10% below that of the Sikhs and Hindus; meat was eaten, and intake of fruit, and therefore vitamin C, was quite large. Bangladeshis were the smallest women; they had the lowest intake of energy (mean energy 6.5 MJ (1555 kcal)/d) and most nutrients, except for protein, so that 15% of energy was provided by protein. Fish, rice and a low-fat intake were other features of their diet.

3. From a nutritional standpoint, peoples coming from the Asian subcontinent should be divided into subethnic groups; the collective term ‘Asian’ is insufficient.

4. It is not clear whether these differences have any effect on the life and health of the individuals. Comparison of groups does not suggest an obvious relationship between dietary intake and fetal growth; however, there is other evidence to implicate the possible role of deficiencies of protein, energy, zinc and pyridoxine.

5. The results provide some support for the community nutritional policies of (a) offering vitamin D supplements to all pregnant Asian women and (b) fortifying bread with calcium, thiamin and nicotinic acid. There is probably no need to offer vitamin A and C supplements but they are harmless. Indications for iron supplementation are no different from those for white English women.

Type
Papers of direct relevance to Clinical and Human Nutrition
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 52 , Issue 3 , November 1984 , pp. 469 - 476
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1984

References

REFERENCES

Brooke, O. G. (1981). British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 88, 18–26.Google Scholar
Department of Health and Social Security (1979). Report of Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy no. 15. London: H. M. Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Durnin, J. V. G. A., McKillop, F. M., Grant, S. & Fitzgerald, G. (1983). Proceedings of the Nutrifion Society 42, 162A.Google Scholar
Eaton, P. M., Wharton, P. A. & Wharton, B. A. (1984). British Journal of Nutrition 52, 457–468.Google Scholar
Meadows, N. J., Ruse, W., Smith, M. F., Day, J., Keeling, P. W. W., Scopes, J. W., Thompson, R. P. H. & Bloxham, D. L. (1981). Lancet ii, 1135–1136.Google Scholar
National Research Council (1980). Food and Nutrition Board Recommended Dietary Allowances, 9th ed. Washington DC: National Academy of Sciences.Google Scholar
Phillips, D. R., Wright, A. J. A. & Southgate, D. A. T. (1982). Lancet ii, 605.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reinken, L. & Dapunt, O. (1978). International Journal of Vitamin Nutrition Research 48, 341–347.Google Scholar
Rheinhold, J. G. (1976). Lancet ii, 1132–1133.Google Scholar
Viegas, O. A. C., Scott, P. H., Cole, T. J., Eaton, P., Needham, P. G. & Wharton, B. A. (1982 a). British Medical Journal 285, 592–595.Google Scholar
Viegas, O. A. C., Scott, P. H., Cole, T. J., Mansfield, H. N., Wharton, P. & Wharton, B. A. (1982 b). British Medical Journal 285, 589–592.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watney, P. J. M., Chance, G. W., Scott, P. & Thompson, J. M. (1971). British Medical Journal ii, 432–436.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wharton, P. A., Eaton, P. M. & Day, K. C. (1983). Human Nutrition: Applied Nutrition 37A, 378–402.Google Scholar