Barriers to adequate nutrition in pregnant adolescent Colombian females

Abstract

Pregnant adolescent females face nutritional challenges. The nutritional demands of a growing fetus, when added to the requirements for growing adolescent bodies, are risk factors for undernutrition. An adolescent expectant mother’s nutritional status therefore affects both the mother’s and the child’s future growth, development, and potential development of diseases later in life. In Colombia, the rate of female adolescent pregnancies is higher than neighboring countries and the global average. The most recent data suggest that approximately 21 % of all pregnant adolescent females in Colombia are underweight, 27 % suffer from anemia, 20 % suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and 19 % suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. Contributing factors to these nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy may be the region in which the female lives, the female’s ethnicity, and the female’s socioeconomic and educational status. In rural parts of Colombia, limitations regarding access to prenatal care and food choices that include animal source proteins may also contribute to nutritional deficiencies. To help remedy this, recommendations include encouraging nutrient dense food sources with higher protein content, eating one additional meal per day, and taking a prenatal vitamin throughout the pregnancy. Making healthy eating choices can be difficult for adolescent females with limited resources and education; therefore, it is recommended that discussions about nutrition begin at the first prenatal visit for optimum benefits. These factors should be considered for the development of future health policies and interventions in Colombia and other low-income and middle-income countries where pregnant adolescent females may be experiencing similar nutritional deficiencies.

Hospitalization of patients with nutritional anemia in the United States in 2020

“…A notable difference in the prevalence of first quartile income was observed compared to the control group, consistent with existing literature ( 23 , 24 ). This phenomenon could potentially be attributed to the limited access to healthy food in areas where economically disadvantaged and vulnerable populations reside ( 25 , 26 ). In addition, the disparity in payment methods was evident through a lower prevalence of private insurance and a higher rate of Medicaid insurance compared to the control group, showcasing the potential impact of economic conditions on payment methods.…”