Food Insecurity and Micronutrient Status among Ghanaian Women Planning to Become Pregnant

• Main Authors: Ruth Adisetu Pobee, Sixtus Aguree, Esi Komeley Colecraft, Alison D. Gernand, Laura E. Murray-Kolb
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: micronutrients; food insecurity; women of reproductive age; anemia; iron; retinol; zinc; copper
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/2/470

We examined the association between food insecurity (FIS) and micronutrient status among Ghanaian women planning to become pregnant. A cross-sectional analysis was completed of 95 women aged 18&#8722;35 years, living in the Upper Manya Krobo District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Questionnaires were administered to collect sociodemographic and food security data; weight and height were measured. Blood was drawn from an antecubital vein; one drop was used to assess hemoglobin via Hemocue. Zinc and copper were analyzed using flame atomic spectrophotometry while iron biomarkers, retinol and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were analyzed using ELISA, ultra-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. Logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between food insecurity (FIS) and micronutrient deficiencies. FIS was reported among 23% of the households, while micronutrient deficiencies ranged from 7&#8722;28% irrespective of FIS status. Retinol concentrations were negatively associated with FIS (<i>p</i> = 0.043) after controlling for covariates, although levels were within the normal range in both groups. No statistically significant associations between FIS and micronutrient deficiencies were found. Among those with FIS, 59% were deficient in at least one nutrient with 18% deficient in two nutrients. Unmarried women were at higher risk of FIS (<i>p</i> = 0.017) than married women. FIS was associated with retinol concentrations but not other micronutrient biomarkers in Ghanaian women expecting to become pregnant in the next 6 months.