Investigate the Nutritional Needs and Meal Planning Issues of Pregnant Women in Australia - Essay Example

?Investigate the nutritional needs and meal planning issues of pregnant women in Australia Current eating habits of pregnant women within Australia Nutrition is a central part of every living thing. The existence of all living things relies greatly on nutrition. It is not surprising therefore that Nordqvist explains that “nutrition is the supply of materials - food - required by organisms and cells to stay alive.” She continues to explain that “in science and human medicine, nutrition is the science or practice of consuming and utilizing foods.” As much as nutrition remains an important component of human existence, medical research reveals that the phenomenon is even more important and crucial among pregnant women. A logical reason to this is the fact that a pregnant woman carries another life that cannot cater for him or her self and thus the pregnant woman must endeavor to feed herself well to satisfy the nutritional needs of the fetus and herself. It is against this backdrop that a lot of researchers in the medical field dedicate their research work towards knowing the nutritional needs and meal planning among pregnant women. The results of such researches bring to bare nutritional pattern among pregnant women, deficiencies associated with nutrition among pregnant women and ways that nutrition can be improved among pregnant women. One of such researches conducted among pregnant women in Australia revealed that “There were low reported levels of vegetable and fruit consumption and high reported levels of soft drink and takeaway/fast food consumption among pregnant women. (Wen, et al., 2010). This essay seeks for delve into other issues and factors that concerns nutrition among pregnant women in Australia. Dietary requirements of pregnant women based on specific characteristics Certain specific characteristics of pregnant women demand different dietary requirements for them. Two of such characteristics are their psychological and physiological characteristics. Health practitioners report of some psychological needs and characteristics of pregnant women. Among some of these psychological needs are worries whether “the fetus is normal, with or without abnormal situation, whether it will happen dystopia or other accidents, if the birth canal malformation, malposition, or surgical diseases, believes that sooner or later anyway, cesarean section” (The Healthy Doctor, 2010). Physiologically, there are characteristics like “physical discomfort, not to mention their fatigued and ungainly appearance - sluggish movement, flabby tummy, arms and legs, thicker waist, excess flab” (Laura, 2007). One important thing to note is that the physiological and psychological characteristics discussed can greatly affect the pregnant woman in one way or the other. Coincidentally, as to whether or not the psychological and physiological characteristics affect the pregnant woman negatively or positively demands also on the nutritional habit of the pregnant. To this effect, there are a number of dietary requirements specified by pregnant women. According to the 1995 National Nutrition Survey, there are specific dietary requirements that every pregnant woman must note. Some of these requirements are mentioned as: 1. Eating small frequent meals. 2. Insufficient folate intake is associated with the development of neural tube defects in the fetus, such as spina bifida . 3. Higher intake of macronutrient food 4. Alcohol consumption be avoided completely. 5. There should be reduced consumption of caffeine. 6. Increase the intake of mineral water and ordinary water. 7. Increase intake of fruit and vegetable drinks (Source: 1995 National Nutrition Survey in Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2000) Following the dietary requirements as stated above brings a lot of benefits to the pregnant woman. It is known for instance that “eating small, frequent meals may help to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with pregnancy, such as nausea and heartburn” (Drewen, 2000, p. 16-19). Going by the requirements also ensure that pregnant women do not suffer any psychological and physiological consequences of their new state and characteristics. Different eating settings and their implications to the dietary requirements of pregnancy Pregnant women like all other people have different eating settings. The commonest known eating settings include the home, workplace and eating out. Morris (2010) notes that teaching people about proper eating settings and meal etiquette is very important for responding to different meal needs. Unlike all other people, it is has been noted that the eating habit of the pregnant woman comes with a lot of consequences because of the new psychological and physiological characteristics that are adapted during pregnant. Davis (2011) also notes that what a pregnant woman “eat throughout your pregnancy really does matter, as you are eating not only to provide optimal nutrition for your baby-to-be, but also to support your increased metabolism, and organ growth.” Eating habit in pregnancy is also important because of the role the pregnant woman takes as the ‘nutritionist’ of the fetus. To this effect, there are special precautions worth taking among pregnant women regarding the places they eat. Without ensuring the highest form of caution, a pregnant woman may be deprived: for most period of her pregnancy, the need to meet her dietary requirements because of her eating setting and the kind of food she eats there. The general precaution for eating at the workplace is that the pregnant woman must be cautious not to take in so much food that can result in vomiting Drewen, 2000, p. 17). Eating in small but frequent quantities is therefore advised. Most pregnant women are deceived to thinking that in order to meet the high demands of work, they have to eat heavy food at work. This is erroneous and can result in fatigue, vomiting and sluggishness. Once a pregnant woman vomits immediately after eating, she is sure to loss the dietary requirements and nutrients in all that she has eaten. Again, feeling the need to sleep at work because of fatigue is not advisable because the pregnant woman is not likely to have sufficient sleep at work. In the house, pregnant women can afford to eat a little more because in case fatigue sets in, they can afford to have sufficient and uninterrupted sleep. In all things however, getting the right minerals and vitamins must be a priority rather than just eating to fill an empty stomach at home. This is because Davis (2011) notes that “multinutrient vitamin supplements are recommended for pregnant women to cover the increased need for folic acid, vitamins B-6, C, and D, and calcium, copper, iron, and zinc.” Finally, eating out must be done with the greatest amount of caution. This is especially precautionary to pregnant women who are overweight. This is because most overweight pregnant women resort to eating out with the hope of losing weight. Davis however posits that “trying to lose weight while pregnant is very risky, since there is no way to guarantee the baby won't be deprived of essential nutrients.” Eating self made foods either at home or work is therefore the most useful as it can help the pregnant to monitor her intake of dietary requirements to ensure sustained growth and development during pregnancy. Factors that influences what pregnant women may eat Technically, a pregnant woman is supposed to follow certain prescribed eating menu in order to obtain certain dietary requirements. These technicalities not withstanding and also not withstanding the fact that “advice has also been provided in the form of ‘Dietary Guidelines’, and culturally-relevant food and dietary patterns that will not only achieve sustenance, but also reduce the risk of chronic disease” (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2005), not all pregnant women in Australia are able to live within the means of the required dietary demands. As to whether or not a pregnant woman in Australia will be able to live within the means of required dietary demands depends on a number of factors such as socio-economic status, age, food availability, cravings and nausea. Kristen et al (2005) notes that “food choices and dietary intakes could be affected by psychosocial factors and lead to poor nutritional status and health.” Socio-economically, people of low economic standing find it extremely difficult to afford routine meal system. Age wise, what pregnant women eat are influenced by their maturity level. For instance Stork Net (2011) notes that “adolescent pregnancies are higher risk than the pregnancies of healthy adult women.” This emphasizes that indeed the dietary requirement among pregnant women defers greatly according to their age. The same line of argument can be made about availability of food. In places where there is lack of food rich in nutrients, minerals and other nutritional supplements, pregnant women are less likely to have the required meal. All said and done, it is greatly advised that regardless of the conditions, pregnant women make conscious efforts to be on the right dietary requirements. People in the pregnancy group who may be at nutritional risk and what are the consequences of poor nutrition? It has been advised that regardless of the conditions at stake to a pregnant woman, she must make conscious effort to live on the right dietary requirement. This is because there are great consequences with the nutritional intake of the pregnant woman. This is what is referred to as nutritional risk. These nutritional risks are regardless of one’s age, socio-economic class or tribe. It is in this direction that Weiss (2011) advises that “pregnancy is a time when you may think about your nutrition more than before.” In a research conducted by el-Sahn et al (1992), on the Socio-cultural and nutritional risk factors of adolescents and young pregnant women in an endemic area of schistosomiasis, it was established that “about 60% of pregnant women and 80% of adolescent girls reported contact with canal water during household activities and field work.” These and many other nutritional risks come with a number of consequences. Some of these consequences of poor nutrition include the following: 1. pre-pregnancy weight status 2. maternal weight gain 3. parity 4. inter-pregnancy intervals 5. anemia 6. diabetes and hypertension during pregnancy (Source: CDC’s Pediatric and Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System, 2011) The indicators given to the nutritional risk are worsened when pregnant women take to behavior such as smoking and alcoholism. In Australia, it has been established that adolescents and the low in class are the worse people at risk to nutritional risk, alcoholism and smoking (Wen et al, 2010). The Creative Spirits (2011) also give some health statistics on the Aborigines in Australia as follows: 1. 2.3 Aboriginal infant mortality rate compared to other Australians. 80% die under the age of one. 2. 1.95 Rate at which Aboriginal people are hospitalized compared to non-Indigenous people. 3. 36 Times sexually transmitted Gonorrhea is more prevalent in Indigenous communities than in other communities 4. 30% Percentage of adults in Aboriginal communities suffering from type-2 diabetes 5. 25% Percentage of Aboriginal people who reported having used an illicit substance in the last 12 months (stable rate between 2002 and 2008) (Source: Creative Spirits, 2011). Sadly, the statistics given above about the Aborigines in Australia have direct influence on the nutritional risk of pregnant women among their population. This is because there is a general condition of poor health practice among the Aborigines of which pregnant women are no exception. Specific educational needs among Pregnant and nutritional issues to be highlighted Education is the best way to ensure improved nutrition among pregnant women in Australia. Pregnant women of all ages, socio-economic class and tribe can have their nutritional needs improved whiles they are pregnant if they are given the right tutorials on what to do in times of pregnancy. Some of the most basic nutritional issues to be observed by pregnant women have been discussed below. Food to avoid during pregnancy The American Pregnancy Association (2011) advises that these foods should be avoided: raw meat, deli meat, fish with mercury, smoked seafood, fish exposed to industrial pollutants, raw shellfish, raw eggs, soft cheese, unpasteurized milk, pate, caffeine, alcohol and unwashed vegetables Listeria The American Pregnancy Association puts the prevalence rate of Listeria among pregnant women at 17%. This is a serious health issue that needs to be addressed. In addressing the issue of reducing Listeria among pregnant women, it is advised that pregnant women should: 1. Eat hard cheeses instead of soft cheeses 2. Be cautious when eating hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats unless they are properly reheated to steaming (or 160 degrees F.) 3. Do not eat refrigerated pates or meat spreads 4. Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole 5. Practice safe food handling 6. Practice Proper Temperatures for Cooking Foods 7. Refrigerate or freeze food promptly (Source: American Pregnancy Association, 2011). Effects of alcohol and smoking on unborn child Alcohol and smoking have harsh consequence on pregnant women and their unborn children. Because of this, number protective factors have been considered. Some of these protective factors given by the Children’s and Women’s Health Network (2011) include 1. Early diagnosis: There should be diagnosis among women who took alcohol and smoked before pregnancy to enable health practitioners give needed advise on whether or not their fetus have been affected already. 2. Involvement in special education: Pregnancy educational clubs could be set up to provide constant advice and education to pregnant women on how to avoid the risk of smoking and alcohol. 3. Support for the family: Family members are advised to give every needed support to their relatives who are pregnant but suffer the weakness of smoking and alcohol. 4. Absence of violence: violence is likely Healthy eating guidelines for pregnancy Web MD (2011) outlines a number of useful healthy eating guidelines for pregnant women. Some of these guidelines are 1. Eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. 2. Choose foods high in fiber that are enriched such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables. 3. Make sure you are getting enough vitamins and minerals in your daily diet while pregnant. 4. Choose at least one source of vitamin A every other day. 5. Eat and drink at least four servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day 6. Choose at least one good source of vitamin C every day 7. Choose at least one good source of folic acid every day (Source: Web MD, 2011) REFERENCE LIST CDC’s Pediatric and Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System (2011). PNSS Health Indicators. Retrieved September 6, 2011 from http://www.cdc.gov/pednss/what_is/pnss_health_indicators.htm Children’s and Women’s Health Network (2011). Alcohol - effects on unborn children. Retrieved September 6, 2011 from http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=122&id=1950 Creative Spirits (2011). Aboriginal health overview. Retrieved September 5, 2011 from http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/health/ Davis D (2011). The Perfect Pregnancy Diet. Retrieved September 6, 2011 from http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy/health_wellness/fitness_food_weight/article/pregnancy-diet el-Sahn F, Darwish O, Soliman N. (1992). Socio-cultural and nutritional risk factors of adolescents and young pregnant women in an endemic area of schistosomiasis. 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(2011). 5 Great Snacks for Pregnancy. Retrieved September 5, 2011 from http://pregnancy.about.com/od/nutritioninpregn/a/healthysnacks.htm Wen et al. (2000). Dietary behaviours during pregnancy: findings from first-time mothers in southwest Sydney, Australia. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2010, 7:13 http://www.ijbnpa.org/content/7/1/13 Read More