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Bangladesh Dev Stud. 1984 Dec;12(4):107-22. |
Determinants of nutrient adequacy for
lactating and pregnant mothers in a rural area of Bangladesh.
Chaudhury RH.
PIP: This study used data from a rural area of Bangladesh to examine the
nutrient adequacy of the diets of pregnant and lactating women. Of the 106
women 15-45 years of age in the survey population, 30 were lactating and 25
were pregnant. Average caloric requirements and safe levels of protein intake
were estimated for each member of the households studied to determine whether a
person cunsumed more, less, or equal to his or her average requirement. Women
who were neither pregnant nor lactating were significantly more likely to be
meeting their calorie and protein requirements than those who were pregnant or
lactating. That is, pregnancy and/or lactation status exerts a depressing
effect on the nutrient adequacy ratio of an adult woman. The nutrient adequacy
ratios were lowest for pregnant or lactating women, followed by those for women
who were both pregnant and lactating. In addition, the observed to expected
consumption of calories and protein was significantly lower among lactating
and/or pregnant women than among other women. Economic position, measured in
terms of per capita expenditure on food/day, was the most important factor
affecting the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women. These
findings have serious implications for child health in Bangladesh since the
lactation performance of poorly nourished women is likely to be inadequate.
There is a need for income-generating programs for the rural poor to enable
them to increase their expenditures on food. Also needed are educational
programs to raise the awareness of rural people concerning the higher nutrient
needs of pregnant and lactating women.
PMID: 12280492 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]