Low Maternal Vitamin D and Calcium Intake Status during Pregnancy among West Sumatran Population, Indonesia

Background/Aims: Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is high all over the world. Low availability of vitamin D and Calcium (Ca)rich foods and poor healthy lifestyles may affect the adequacy intake in different regions. We investigated the association between lifestyles and place of residence with maternal vitamin D and Ca intake. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 203 pregnant mothers who lived in two districts of coastal and mountainous areas of West Sumatra, Indonesia. Lifestyles of mothers were assessed through a questionnaire. We examined dietary assessment during pregnancy by validated SQ-FFQ based on Minangkabau food culture. Results: The mean of maternal vitamin D and Ca intake was 7.92 ± 5.26 μg/day and 784.88 ± 409.77 mg/ day, and there were no reports of vitamin D supplement intake during pregnancy. A total of 86.7% and 89.7% had low vitamin D and Ca intake status, respectively. There was a significant association between vitamin D intake status and place of residence (p = 0.02). The significant different mean levels between coastal and mountainous area were 9.04 vs 6.55 μg/day (p = 0.01). Mothers who have higher education levels had adequate calcium intake than low education levels (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Low vitamin D and Ca intake status were common in West Sumatera, Indonesia. Status of vitamin D and Ca intake may have differed with the place of residence.