Nutrition component in a comprehensive child development program. II. Nutrient intakes of low-income, pregnant women and the outcome of pregnancy.

Twenty-four-hr. food recall records taken by home visitors in an intervention program for disadvantaged families yielded data similar to three-day records and 24-hr. recalls taken by nutritionists. The young, urban, low-income expectant mothers studied had intakes below the recommended allowances for all nutrients studied except ascorbic acid. Energy, calcium, and iron were particularly low. The use of energy- and/or sodium-restricted diets during pregnancy was associated with lower intakes of other nutrients. Recent studies showed that low energy intake appears common among low-income, young, pregnant women.