TRADITIONAL NUTRITION HABITS EFFECT ON CALCIUM AND VITAMIN B12 DURING PREGNANCY

The nutrition care has utmost importance during pregnancy for mothers’ and fetus health. The study is carried out to determine the relation of nutrition habits and food type with serum Ca and B12 levels along with suggesting solutions for the expectant mothers who are tightly connected to traditions in Adıyaman (SE Turkey). The study is undertaken by questionnaires with the participation of 91 pregnants living in relatively less developed region of Turkey. The Ca and B12 levels of participants were obtained from Ministry of Health’s Adiyaman 3rd Health Center archive. Data evaluated by SPSS 17 software. Participants Ca and B12 showed a significant decrease, p<0.01, with the development of pregnancy which revealed drawing of the said nutrients by fetus from mother. The cereals based food diversity can be classified as monotype nutrition due to the traditional eating habits. Moreover, subjects’ folic acid, vitamin A, zinc, iron, B6 especially vitamin D levels are also critical. As changing traditional eating habits in the studied site would take time, Ca and B12 supplementation are needed to expectant mothers, and for the long run awareness within the society should be created via visual media which all will prevent mother and baby from serious health problems during and after pregnancy.