| dc.description.abstract | The aimsof thisstudy were (i) to determine the dietary intake of women in a poor rural
area during pregnancy and lactation, and (ii) to determine the nutritional status and
dietary intake of their infants at age 6 months. We recruited 46 women, below 40 years
old, in their 2nd trimester of pregnancy. The subjects were living in a rural area of
Limpopo Province. Their heights and weights were recorded, as were their diets during
pregnancy and for the first 6 months after delivery. We also recorded weights, lengths.
and dietary intake of the infants at 3 and 6 months after birth. The subjects were living
in severe poverty: none had running water and almost all did their cooking over an
open flre. None of the subjects smoked and only one consumed alcohol. The diets of
the subjects consisted mainly of maize, brown bread, sweetened beverages (cold
drink and tea), and small amounts of vegetables and chicken. The diets were adequate
in protein but were marginal in energy and in dietary fibre, and may be deficient in
numerous micronutrients, particularly calcium, iron, zinc, niacin, folate, and vitamins
A, C, E, and B6' This was seen during pregnancy and lactation. Blood analysis 6
months after birth revealed normal levels of vitamins A and E and an absence of
anaemia. Body mass index (BMI) of the women was 23.9% 5.3 kg/m2 (mean %SD) when
measured 6 months after birth. Those above 25 years old had a higher BMI than did
younger subjects (25.5 vs. 22.2; p= 0.028). OveraIl, 24% were overweight (BMI 25-30)
while 9% were obese (BMI > 30). Most infants (93%) were breastfed for at least 6
months but exclusive breastfeeding was only done by 65% of mothers. One-third of
breastfed infants also received formula. The use of formula while breastfeeding was
twice as common among mothers aged above 25 years (46% vs. 23%). Early introduction
of solid foods was very common in this group. Younger mothers introduced solids in
the first month (51%) more often compared with older mothers who tended to introduce
solids at 2-3 months (64%).
The most common solid food given was maize meal porridge (by 78% of all mothers).
Mean BMI was low at birth « ]5), but this reached a normal value by 6 months. A
signiflcant fraction of the infants was underweight or short (i.e., stunted), based on
being below the 3rd percentile compared with NCHS standards. Underweight was
seen in 15% at birth, falling to 10% at 6 months, whereas 15% had a short length at
birth, rising to 35% at 6 months. Underweight tended to be more common in boys and short length in girls. This study found
that pregnant and lactating women had
diets low in energy and micronutrients
as reflected by the high prevalence of
underweight at birth. Most infants were
exclusively breastfed, but the benefit of
this was offset by the early introduction
of solid foods having a low energy and
nutrient density. By 6 months, the
prevalence of stunting had more than
doubled. | en |
