A Study on Nutritional Status of Adolescent and Adult Pregnant and Lactating Women and Growth of Their Infants

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Abstract
Dietary intake and nutritional status were recorded in 27 non-pregnant adolescent girls, 20 pregnant adolescent girls, and 17 pregnant adult women. Deficiencies of energy and iron intake were more pronounced than of protein in all the three groups. Intakes of energy, protein, and iron were lower during lactation than in pregnancy because of stricter food taboos observed during lactation in order to ensure good health in the infant. The adolescent pregnant girls gained, on average, 2.7 kg in weight during pregnancy compared to a mean gain of 4.8 kg in adult pregnant women. The adolescent mothers also lost more weight during lactation (mean 2.9 kg) compared to adult women (mean weight loss 1.9 kg). There was no observable difference for up to 3 months after delivery in lactational performance between adoles cent and adult mothers. The mean birth weight was less in the case of the adolescent compared to the adult women. There was no difference in other anthropometric parameters. Infants of adult women had significantly better growth in weight and height after birth.