The effect of physiological state on the nutritional status of women
Leela, M.S.; Busi, B.R.
Man in India 75(3): 221-229
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-1569 Document Number: 312428
The effect of physiological states such as pregnancy and lactation on the nutritional status of 726 women from low to middle income groups of Andhra Pradesh, India are examined. The nutritional status was studied by anthropometry, dietary and clinical methods. The results show that lactating women show the lowest nutritional status. Their body measurements show lower values, with their dietary intakes only 50% of requirements, and high nutritional deficiency scores. Among the lactating women, those experiencing amenorrhoea show the worst deficiencies as indicated by the parameters. There is obviously an urgent need to improve the dietary intakes of lactating women through proper nutritional counselling, which will have to overcome the various cultural practices that determine dietary habits.