DIETARY-INTAKE, ANTHROPOMETRY AND BIRTH OUTCOME OF RURAL PREGNANT-WOMEN IN 2 IRANIAN DISTRICTS

The purpose of this study was to determine the dietary intake and anth ropometric measurements of rural pregnant women and the relationship o f these measurements to pregnancy outcome. A total of 90 pregnant wome n were studied. They included all the eligible pregnant women in two d istricts of Karaj and Shemiranat, Iran. Mean pregnancy weight gain was 9.13 +/- 3.41 kg. Underweight prior to pregnancy ( BMI <19.8 ) and lo w pregnancy weight gain were found among 28% and 59% of the subjects, respectively. Mean intake of food energy, iron, zinc, and calcium were inadequte (<75% of RDA) in 21.1, 26, 74, and 92% of the subjects, res pectively. No significant correlation was found between the food energ y and nutrient intakes of the women and infant birthweight. However, b irthweight was significantly correlated with prepregnancy weight, BMI, and arm circumference (P<0.05). Based on stepwise multiple regression analysis, prepregnancy weight was the most independant variable assoc iated with birthweight and maternal dietary intake. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.