Analysis of Nutrient Intakes And Food Sources of Selected Breastfeeding Mothers In Metro Manila, Philippines

Background: This study evaluated the food and nutrient intakes of breastfeeding mothers and identified the top food sources for their nutrient intakes. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, observational, non-interventional study conducted in one of the private medical centers in Metro Manila, Philippines. Participants: The sample size included 70 mothers of healthy, term, exclusively breastfed infants aged 21-26 days at enrollment. Quantitative dietary data was collected by a 3-day non-consecutive dietary diary for each visit during the clinic hours. Mean food intakes were calculated. A software known as PC-SIDE program or PC-Software for Intake Distribution Estimation was used in the estimation of inadequate intakes. Results: The mean energy intake of breastfeeding mothers was 2516.7 kcal/day, which was 28.6% higher than the EER of 1957 kcal/day. Protein intake was inadequate (37%) while fat intake was excessive by 4%. Nutrient inadequacy is high for almost all nutrients: iron (99%), folate (96%), riboflavin (39%), vitamin B6 (63%), vitamin B12 (46%) and thiamine (22%). The top 5-food sources with highest percent contribution to energy are rice (43.1%), bread (8.1%), pork (7.7%), powdered milk (5.9%), and sweet bakery products (5%). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of protein and micronutrient inadequacies in the diet of breastfeeding mothers, which may be explained by the low variety and nutrient-poor foods consumed by the mothers. Understanding the dietary patterns and nutrient gaps of breastfeeding mothers may help target appropriate nutritional and behavioral interventions to improve their nutritional status, and also ensure adequate levels of nutrients in their milk for the growth and development of infants.