Energy intake and expenditure of free-living, lactating Colombian women in an urban setting.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the components of energy balance during lactation in a population of economically disadvantaged women in an urban developing country setting in order to better understand the metabolic response to lactation.


METHODS
Cross-sectional comparison of lactating (LACT) and non-pregnant non-lactating (NPNL) women. Body size and composition were assessed via anthropometry, energy intake was measured using estimated diet records and energy expenditure using indirect calorimetry and the Flex-Heart Rate method.


METHODS
Low-income neighborhoods of Cali, Colombia.


METHODS
Lactating women (n=15) studied at 2.4+/-0.8, 5.5+/-0.8 and 8.9+/-1.2 months postpartum, and NPNL women (n=48) studied in three measurement rounds at 0, 3.5+/-0.6 and 7.1+/-1.0 months.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences between LACT and NPNL women in anthropometric dimensions, but LACT women showed decreases in waist-hip ratio, lean body mass and increases in mid-arm circumference and percentage body fat with time. Energy intake was higher in LACT women (P=0.04), but there were no significant between-group differences in energy expenditure variables.


CONCLUSIONS
This group of women met the cost of lactation principally via increased energy intake.
Dufour
D L
DL
Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA. darna.dufour@colorado.edu
Reina
J C
JC
Spurr
G B
GB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D003105:Colombia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011203:Poverty; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D014505:Urban Population
D006454:Hemoglobins