Breastfeeding Hong Kong mums not getting enough calcium, iron and iodine, study finds

But their babies’ intake levels were found to be adequate

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Mothers breastfeeding their babies during a flashmob event for the cause at Tai Wai MTR station. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:01pm, 26 Jul 2016Updated: 9:23pm, 26 Jul 2016

Breastfeeding mothers in Hong Kong are not getting enough calcium, iron and iodine, researchers said, warning the deficiencies could adversely affect their health over the long term.

But the study by Polytechnic University’s Laboratory for Infant and Child Nutrition, involving 95 lactating women between May 2014 and August last year and including a three-day diet survey, found the babies’ intake levels were adequate.

The study revealed that only 12 per cent, 6 per cent and 2 per cent of the participanting women met the recommended intakes of calcium, iron and iodine respectively, based on the Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes, which are compiled by the non-profit Chinese Nutrition Society and recognised by government authorities.

Professor Wong Man-sau of PolyU’s department of applied biology and chemical technology noted the daily intakes of the micronutrients were “significantly lower” than what was recommended for lactating women: 1,000mg of calcium, 24mg of iron and 240mcg of iodine.

Registered dietician Gordon Cheung Chi-leung saidbreastfeeding women needed higher intakes of such micronutrients for their health and breast milk production.

Mothers suffer from a depletion of body reserves of such micronutrients

dietician Gordon Cheung Chi-leung

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