[Dietary intake and nutritional status of pregnant women enrolled in the Mexican Institute of Social Security, living in a peri-urban area of Mexico City].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the combinations and type of foods consumed, energy intake, nutrients and nutritional status in pregnant women. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and twelve primiparous women, who attended prenatal care at a primary care clinic located in the metropolitan area of Mexico City were included. Information about dietary intake was collected through a 24-hour recall questionnaire. Energy intake, nutritional intake and appropriateness of nutritional intake were assessed. Nutritional status was evaluated through expected weight for height according to gestational age. RESULTS: Average age was of 22 +/- 4.1 years and mean duration of pregnancy of 28 weeks. There was an adequate intake of energy, thiamine, riboflavin and calcium; whereas a low intake of iron, folate and zinc was observed, 47% of pregnant women were overweighted. CONCLUSIONS: A poor variety in dietary intake was identified, as well as inadequacies in mineral and vitamin intake; additionally, an inadequate nutritional status was found in more than 50% of pregnant women.