ABSTRACT
Energy balance assessment of 317 pregnant women in Sofia was conducted. Energy intake and energy expenditure during the first and the third trimester, gestational weight gain and prepregnancy body mass index have been studied. The regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between neonate body mass and energy expenditure level, but the decreased metabolic constants of physical activity, suggested an influence of increased basal metabolic rate, corresponding to the gestational body mass gain.
Subject(s)
Energy Metabolism , Pregnancy/metabolism , Adult , Birth Weight , Bulgaria , Female , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Pregnancy/statistics & numerical data , Pregnancy Trimester, First , Pregnancy Trimester, Third , Reference Values , Regression Analysis , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Weight GainABSTRACT
A cross-sectional study on the level of lipid peroxidation and nutrient intake of 44 healthy pregnant women (34-36 gestation week) at average age 24.9 +/- 4.5 years and 15 controls (nonpregnant, nonlactating) at average age 31.8 +/- 7.6 years, was carried out. The level of lipid peroxidation was measured by the concentration of TBA-reactive substance (TBARS) in plasma and red blood cells and the concentration of reduced glutathione in red blood cells. The nutrient intake was studied by 5-day diet record. The results obtained showed an activation of lipid peroxidation in pregnant women evidenced by a statistically significant increase of TBARS in red blood cells. Nutrient density of the protein of animal origin, vitamin C and zinc was significantly diminished in the diet of pregnant women but their average daily intake of protein and vitamin C was higher than the recommended dietary allowances. Obviously the activated lipid peroxidation during pregnancy could not be related to inadequate intake of nutrients with antioxidant activity but most probably is a result of hormonal changes.