Who should be screened for postpartum anemia? An evaluation of current recommendations.

The authors evaluated the utility of selective screening criteria for postpartum anemia developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) versus criteria developed among low-income women using prevalence-based screening principles. Pregnant women in Raleigh, North Carolina, were followed up to the postpartum visit in 1997-1999 (n = 345). Prevalence of postpartum anemia was 19.

Vigorous leisure activity and pregnancy outcome.

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal mortality in North America and Europe and a major predictor of neonatal and infant morbidity. Postterm birth is associated with increased infant mortality and morbidity, as well as increased frequency of surgical or induced labor. Because vigorous leisure activity may affect timing of delivery, this study examined association between vigorous leisure activity and birth outcomes.

Sociodemographic patterns in spina bifida birth prevalence trends--North Carolina, 1995-1999.

Previous studies have documented a decline in neural tube defects (NTDs) in the United States after the addition of folic acid to enriched grain products and other folic acid initiatives. The decrease generally has been greater for spina bifida than for other NTDs. However, the extent to which the decline varies by maternal sociodemographic characteristics has not been examined.

Trends in food locations and sources among adolescents and young adults.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine overall trends of total energy intake by food location and food type in diets of adolescents and young adults.

Methods: This study used a nationally representative sample of 16,810 individuals, ages 12-29 from the 1977 to 1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey and the 1989-1991 and 1994-1996 Continuing Surveys of Food Intake by Individuals. For each survey year, the percentage of total energy intake from meals and snacks was calculated for adolescents ages 12-18 and young adults ages 19-29.

Sociodemographic determinants of added sugar intake in preschoolers 2 to 5 years old.

Objectives: To determine sociodemographic predictors of added sugar intake from a national representative sample of 2- to 5-year-old children.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study that used dietary intake data of the US Department of Agriculture Continuing Survey of Food Intake in Individuals 1994 to 1996 and 1998 (n = 5652). Amount of added sugar intake in teaspoons per day, teaspoons per 100 kcal, and percent of total energy was calculated by selected sociodemographic variables, accounting for sample design and weighted to permit inferences applicable to the total population.

Trends in energy intake in U.S. between 1977 and 1996: similar shifts seen across age groups.

Objective: To determine the trends in locations and food sources of Americans stratified by age group for both total energy and the meal and snack subcomponents.

Research Methods And Procedures: Nationally representative data was taken from the 1977 to 1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey and the 1989 to 1991 and 1994 to 1996 (and 1998 for children age 2 through 9) Continuing Surveys of Food Intake by Individuals. The sample consisted of 63,380 individuals, age 2 and up.

What are pregnant women eating? Nutrient and food group differences by race.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify foods that contributed most to nutrient and fiber intake in a sample of pregnant women in North Carolina.

Study Design: This was a prospective study of women in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition Study (n = 2247 women). Dietary information during the second trimester was collected with the use of a food frequency questionnaire.