(LB02-09-24) Comprehensive, Current Nutrient Consumption of Lactating Women in the First 6 Weeks Postpartum

Objectives: Our objective was to document nutrient intakes of lactating women living in the US Pacific northwest in the first 6 wk postpartum.

Methods: Participants (n=38) reported dietary and supplemental intake weekly from birth to 6 wk postpartum using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool. Iodine intake was estimated using the USDA, FDA, and ODS-NIH Database for the Iodine Content of Common Foods. Values reported here represent means of estimated intakes over the study period. Macronutrient intakes are compared to Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR), whereas micronutrient intakes are compared to Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) or Adequate Intakes (AI).

Results: Consumption of protein (17% of kcal; AMDR 10-35% kcal), carbohydrate (47% of kcal; AMDR 45-65% kcal), and added sugar (23% of kcal; AMDR ≤25% kcal) aligned with AMDRs. However, lipids (37% of kcal; AMDR 20-35% kcal) and saturated fat (21% of kcal; AMDR as low as possible) intakes were above the AMDRs. Vitamin C (118 mg/d; EAR 100 mg/d), thiamin (2.0 mg/d; EAR 1.2 mg/d), riboflavin (2.6 mg/d; EAR 1.3), niacin (28 mg/d; EAR 13 mg/d), vitamin B6 (5.9 mg/d; EAR 1.7 mg/d), folate (685 µg/d; EAR 450 µg/d), vitamin B12 (8.0 µg/d; EAR 2.4 µg/d), vitamin A (1137 µg RAE/d; EAR 900 µg RAE/d), vitamin D (11 µg/d; AI 5 µg/d), vitamin K (239 µg/d; AI 90 µg/d), iodine (242 µg/d; EAR 209 µg/d), calcium (1172 mg/d; AI 1000 mg/d), iron (21.2 mg/d; EAR 6.5 mg/d), magnesium (378 mg/d; EAR 265 mg/d), phosphorus (1585 mg/d: EAR 580 mg/d), zinc (14.4 mg/d; EAR 10.4 mg/d), copper (1.7 mg/d; EAR 1.0 mg/d), and selenium (128 µg/d; EAR 59 µg/d) met the EAR/ AI. Potassium (2,992 mg/d; AI 5,100 mg/d), choline (376 mg/d; AI 550 mg/d), and vitamin E (12 mg/d; EAR 16 mg/d) did not. Sodium intake (4075 mg/d) exceeded the AI (1500 mg/d) and Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Intake (CDRR, reduce intake if above 2300 mg/d). Most (71%) participants did not consume supplements.

Conclusions: Overall, consumption of most nutrients are adequate in this population except for potassium, choline, and vitamin E which are below the EAR/AI values. Total fat, saturated fat, and sodium intakes exceeded recommendations.

Funding Sources: NIH NICHD R01HD092297; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project IDA01643