Pregnant woman reaching for a calcium molecule, symbolizing global health inequities.

Calcium Crisis: Are You Getting Enough During Pregnancy?

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research spotlights a global nutritional gap, revealing that pregnant women, especially in low-income countries, aren't consuming sufficient calcium for their health and their babies' development. Learn how to bridge the calcium divide."

Pregnancy is a period of increased nutritional needs, and calcium is a critical player. Adequate calcium intake helps reduce the risk of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, a leading cause of maternal deaths globally. Yet, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis reveals a concerning reality: many pregnant women, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), aren't getting enough calcium through their diets.

The study, published in the BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, paints a stark picture of global inequities in dietary calcium intake. Researchers analyzed data from 105 studies encompassing nearly 74,000 women across 37 countries. Their findings highlight a significant gap between calcium intake in high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs, raising serious concerns about maternal and child health outcomes.

This article breaks down the key findings of this important research, explores the reasons behind these calcium disparities, and provides actionable strategies to ensure pregnant women everywhere receive the calcium they need for a healthy pregnancy.

The Calcium Divide: A Global Snapshot

Pregnant woman reaching for a calcium molecule, symbolizing global health inequities.

The meta-analysis revealed a clear disparity in calcium intake between HICs and LMICs. The average daily calcium intake in HICs was 948.3 mg, while in LMICs, it plummeted to just 647.6 mg. That's a difference of roughly 300mg/day. While specific recommendations vary, most guidelines suggest pregnant women consume at least 1000 mg of calcium daily, with some advising as much as 1300 mg.

These findings mean that a significant proportion of pregnant women in LMICs are falling far short of recommended calcium levels. Alarmingly, the study found that:

In HICs, 29% of countries reported calcium intakes below 800 mg/day.
In LMICs, a staggering 82% of countries reported intakes below this critical threshold.

Regionally, the review highlighted that the problem is especially acute in certain parts of the world. Latin America and Africa had particularly low calcium intakes, with averages of 621.7 mg/day and 566.0 mg/day, respectively. This data underscores that where a woman lives dramatically impacts her access to this essential nutrient.

Closing the Calcium Gap: A Call to Action

This research delivers a clear message: the calcium gap during pregnancy is a pressing global health issue, particularly affecting women in LMICs. While the study's limitations include the non-representative nature of some included studies and variability in data collection methods, the overall trend is undeniable.

So, what can be done? The researchers suggest that, in the absence of specific local data, universal calcium supplementation for pregnant women in LMICs should be considered. Supplementation, while effective, presents challenges in terms of cost, logistics, and adherence. They also point to food fortification as a potential long-term strategy, but emphasize the need for careful planning and intake simulations to avoid excessive calcium consumption in any population group.

Ultimately, addressing this calcium crisis requires a multi-pronged approach involving governments, healthcare providers, and communities. By raising awareness, improving access to calcium-rich foods and supplements, and exploring sustainable fortification strategies, we can work towards ensuring that all pregnant women, regardless of where they live, receive the calcium they need for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy start for their children.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/1471-0528.15512, Alternate LINK

Title: Global Inequities In Dietary Calcium Intake During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review And Meta‐Analysis

Subject: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Journal: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: G Cormick, Ap Betrán, Ib Romero, Cf Lombardo, Am Gülmezoglu, A Ciapponi, Jm Belizán

Published: 2018-11-27

Everything You Need To Know

What is the main issue discussed regarding calcium intake?

The article highlights a significant disparity in dietary calcium intake among pregnant women globally. It points out a major difference between High-Income Countries (HICs) and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). In HICs, the average daily calcium intake was 948.3 mg, while in LMICs, it was only 647.6 mg. This gap is concerning because most guidelines suggest pregnant women consume at least 1000 mg of calcium daily, and some recommend up to 1300 mg. The difference underscores global inequities in access to essential nutrients, with implications for maternal and child health outcomes.

Why is Calcium intake important during pregnancy?

Calcium is crucial during pregnancy because it plays a vital role in reducing the risk of hypertensive disorders, which are a leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide. Adequate Calcium intake supports both the mother's health and the baby's development. A lack of Calcium can lead to health complications for both the mother and the developing fetus. The research emphasizes that sufficient Calcium intake is a key factor for a healthy pregnancy.

What does the research say about the differences in calcium intake between different countries?

The research identifies a significant calcium gap between High-Income Countries (HICs) and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The study revealed that a large percentage of countries in LMICs, a staggering 82% of countries, reported calcium intakes below 800 mg/day. Comparatively, in HICs, 29% of countries had intakes below this threshold. This disparity implies that women in LMICs are at a higher risk of calcium deficiency during pregnancy, which can have serious health implications.

Which regions are most affected by low Calcium intake during pregnancy?

The meta-analysis indicated that the problem is particularly acute in Latin America and Africa. Latin America had an average daily calcium intake of 621.7 mg, and Africa had an average of 566.0 mg. This suggests that where a woman lives significantly impacts her access to essential nutrients like Calcium. These low intakes raise serious concerns about the health of pregnant women and their babies in these regions.

What is the main takeaway from the research?

The research underscores that the calcium gap during pregnancy is a pressing global health issue, particularly affecting women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). While the study has limitations, the overall trend is undeniable. This means that there is a need for global health initiatives aimed at increasing Calcium intake among pregnant women, particularly in regions with the lowest intakes. These initiatives could include dietary changes, supplementation programs, and educational campaigns.