Apports nutritionnels d'une population de femmes enceintes de Constantine (Algérie)

A food frequency questionnaire and an additional 24 hours dairy recall were administered to 214 pregnant women living in Constantine. Socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. The results showed that at least 10% of the population was nutritionally deficient. Daily energy intakes at the end of each trimester were: 2,870 kcal, 2,799 kcal and 3,118 kcal, with a significant difference between the two last periods. The intake in macronutrients were: 15.23% for proteins, 68.15% for carbohydrates and 16.62% (including 5.2% of AGPI for lipids). The complex carbohydrates, resulting from cereal products and the legumes, constitute the base of the food. The average intakes of vitamins (C, B1, B2, B6, PP, B9, B12, A, E) were higher than the estimated average requirement (EAR); but a large proportion of women did not reach that level. The same observation applied for calcium and magnesium. Regarding vitamin D and iron contribution, 4/5 among pregnant women were below the EAR level. These results should be taken into account by the health authority to solve nutritional problem during pregnancy.