Two Eggs A Day Can Increase Choline Intake and Size of Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) in Pregnant Women in Indonesia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Good nutritional intake is very important for pregnant women to prevent stunting in children. However, the problem of CED in pregnant women in Indonesia remains high. Higher choline intake in pregnant women is associated with better memory in a child by the time the child turns 7 years old. Choline functions in the process of methylation and cholinergic transmission during the process of brain development in children. Modification of the high choline diet in daily menu is needed by pregnant women to increase choline intake and size of MUAC. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of high choline diet modification on changes in choline intake and size of MUAC in pregnant women. METHODS: A total of 14 pregnant women in the treatment group received 2 eggs every day, while 13 pregnant women in the control group received education on balanced nutrition during the study period. Changes in choline intake and size of MUAC were stastiscally compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was a significant change in the average intake of choline before and after the intervention in pregnant women between the treatment and control group (p<0.05). The results stated that there was a significant difference in the size of MUAC in pregnant women between the treatment and control groups (p<0.05). Energy intake was not a confounder of the intervention outcome. CONCLUSION: Modification of low choline level diet by giving 2 eggs a day for 1 month as an additional food in the diet of pregnant women can increase choline intake and size of MUAC.