MATERNAL NUTRITIONAL DEPLETION IN A RURAL AREA OF PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA

In the Wosera area of Papua New Guinea, the nutritional status of 899 women of child-bearing age (measured by weight, body mass index, and s kinfolds thickness) showed a strong negative correlation with parity, independent of age, This maternal depletion occurred despite a mean bi rth interval of three years. Average maternal weight gain during pregn ancy was about 5 kg, thus the estimated weight gain from fat depositio n, blood and extracellular volume expansion was only 650 g, Evidence o f increasing fertility in recent years highlights the need for effecti ve family planning to limit the impact on women of child bearing age.