Ann Nutr Food Sci | Volume 1, Issue 2 | Research Article | Open Access

Nutrition and Health of Women in Chile

Francisco Mardones^1*, Alvaro Passi¹, Pedro Rosso², Jaime Rozowski³, Romina Torres- Robles⁴, Jennifer Cantwell Wood⁵, Gabriela Olagnero⁶ and Ximena Fernández¹

¹Public Health Division, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
²Pediatrics Division, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
³Nutrition Division, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
⁴Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Chile
⁵Family Nutrition of the Triad LLC, USA
⁶Research and Development Department, DanoneNutricia Early Life Nutrition, Argentina

^*Correspondance to: Francisco Mardones 

Fulltext PDF

Abstract

The objective of this study was to diagnose the nutritional and health status of Chilean women of reproductive age by conducting a literature review. Chile is in an advanced stage of nutritional transition, which means that there is an increased prevalence of obesity in addition to the health problems commonly caused by underweight, especially in pregnancy. Availability and intake studies show that intakes of ultra-processed foods are on the rise. Several micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids are cited as deficient. Pregnancy complications including anemia, diabetes, hypertension, cesarean section and inadequate fetal growth are frequently found in malnourished women. New health policies have been implemented that include, distribution of a micronutrient fortified food supplement to pregnant women, food labeling changes, taxes on sugar sweetened beverages, and a secondary prevention program for overweight non-pregnant girls and women. Other proposed policies include the use of a more accurate weight chart during pregnancy, improvements in the current fortified food supplement, and inclusion of overweight pregnant and nursing women in the secondary prevention program.

Keywords:

Nutritional status; Adult women; Pregnancy; Lactation

Citation:

Mardones F, Passi A, Rosso P, Rozowski J, Torres-Robles R, Wood JC, et al. Nutrition and Health of Women in Chile. Ann Nutr Food Sci. 2017; 1(2): 1007.