A study by the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) has found that breastfeeding women in Hong Kong are not eating enough fruit and vegetables according to the recommended level by the Department of Health, although the intake has increased significantly over the past 10 years.
From mid-2022 to mid-2024, the research team collected the dietary records of more than 80 lactating women and measured their weight and blood lipid levels. The study found that, compared with a similar survey in 2014, the intake of vegetables, dietary fibre and vitamin A increased by 34%, 19% and over 20%, respectively, but the figures were still 22–103% below the recommended level by the Department of Health. Only 10% of of the breastfeeding women surveyed met the Department of Health’s recommendations for two servings of fruit and three servings of vegetables per day.
The study also found that the fat, saturated fat and sugar intakes of more than half of the breastfeeding women were higher than the intake levels recommended by the Department of Health, and about half of respondents had low density lipoprotein cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) level and body mass index (BMI) that were above the normal values, increasing their risk of developing other diseases in the long run. Breastfeeding women are recommended to pay attention to balanced nutrition during postpartum confinement period.
Dr Kenneth LO Ka-hei, Member of RiFood, recommended that postpartum mothers should eat more vegetables and fruit to increase the absorption of different vitamins and minerals, in addition to taking supplements for replenishing protein and iron during the period. Furthermore, poor maternal cardiovascular health in pregnancy may give children a higher chance of developing obesity. Breastfeeding mothers are recommended to consume different types of vegetables and fruit, such as apples, papayas and red grapes, to ensure balanced nutrition.
Online coverage:
TVB - https://polyu.me/46BzF2j
| Research Units | Research Institute for Future Food |
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