Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the lipid status of 122 pregnant women, who were attending peripheral community clinics in low-income areas and were vulnerable in terms of public health, by anthropometric measurements, estimating dietary intakes and analyzing serum lipids content and fatty acids composition. Regarding the skinfold thickness, it has increased more significantly in suprailliac than in triceps, biceps, subscapular, which means body fat has been accumulated in central parts more than in distal parts of the pregnants. It is found that intakes of energy, protein, lipid and carbohydrate are desirable while calcium, zinc and copper are low and sodium is excessive. Regarding dietary fat intake, the energy $\%$ of fat was within the same range as RDA(20%) for adults, but energy $\%$ intake from each fatty acid was usually low, especially energy % of monoun-saturated fatty acid intake was below RDA for adult women. And intake ratio of $\omega$6$\omega$3 fatty acids was desirable. Accordingly, it is thought that dietary fat intake was balanced in quality. Serum lipids concentrations were increased with the length of pregnancy and were higher as compared with non-pregnant women. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially $\omega$6 fatty acids, have gradually decreased with the length of pregnancy. Serum lipids content and fatty acids composition were not greatly influenced by dietary fat but serum free fatty acid level was negatively related to energy, carbohydrate, fatty acids and cholesterol intake. On the basis of the above results, it can be predicted that lipid metabolism for mother and fetus is changed by pregnant status and multilateral research on maternal nutrition in terms of areas and income levels will have to be made. (Korean J Community Nutrition 1(2) : 201-214, 1996)

• Keywords: low-income; skinfold thickness; nutrient intake; dietary fat intake; serum lipids; serum fatty acid; pregnants.;