Henjum, SigrunTorheim, Liv ElinThorne-Lyman, Andrew L.Chandyo, RamFawzi, Wafaie W.Shrestha, Prakash S.Strand, Tor A.2019-09-302015Henjum, Sigrun, Liv Elin Torheim, Andrew L Thorne-Lyman, Ram Chandyo, Wafaie W Fawzi, Prakash S Shrestha, and Tor A Strand. 2015. “Low Dietary Diversity and Micronutrient Adequacy among Lactating Women in a Peri-Urban Area of Nepal.” Public Health Nutrition 18 (17): 3201–10. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980015000671.1368-98001475-2727http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41426768Objective: The main objectives were to assess the adequacy of the micronutrient intakes of lactating women in a peri-urban area in Nepal and to describe the relationships between micronutrient intake adequacy, dietary diversity and sociodemographic variables. Design: A cross-sectional survey was performed during 2008-2009. We used 24 h dietary recall to assess dietary intake on three non-consecutive days and calculated the probability of adequacy (PA) of the usual intake of eleven micronutrients and the overall mean probability of adequacy (MPA). A mean dietary diversity score (MDDS) was calculated of eight food groups averaged over 3 d. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the determinants of the MPA. Setting: Bhaktapur municipality, Nepal.Subjects: Lactating women (n 500), 17-44 years old, randomly selected. Results: The mean usual energy intake was 8464 (sd 1305) kJ/d (2023 (sd 312) kcal/d), while the percentage of energy from protein, fat and carbohydrates was 11 %, 13 % and 76 %, respectively. The mean usual micronutrient intakes were below the estimated average requirements for all micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and Zn. The MPA across eleven micronutrients was 0.19 (sd 0.16). The diet was found to be monotonous (MDDS was 3.9 (sd 1.0)) and rice contributed to about 60 % of the energy intake. The multiple regression analyses showed that MPA was positively associated with energy intake, dietary diversity, women's educational level and socio-economic status, and was higher in the winter. Conclusions: The low micronutrient intakes are probably explained by low dietary diversity and a low intake of micronutrient-rich foods.en-USJournal Article2019-09-3010.1017/S1368980015000671