Association between Maternal Dietary Diversity and Low Birth Weight in Central India: A Case-Control Study.

Shantanu Sharma,Sonali Maheshwari,Sunil Mehra,Elsa Lamy

doi:10.1155/2021/6667608

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major public health challenges in India. LBW etiology is multifactorial and linked to multiple determinants, including maternal undernutrition and sociodemographic characteristics. The objective of the present endeavor was to assess how maternal dietary diversity and other sociodemographic factors among marginalized populations are associated with the incidence of LBW. The study was a part of the community-based intervention that aimed to improve maternal and child health in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India. In this case-control study, cases were defined as mothers with an LBW child (<2500 grams) and controls as mothers without an LBW child. A quantitative survey was done with women of reproductive age, having at least one child aged 0–24 months. We calculated the dietary diversity based on the number of food groups consumed during pregnancy by women on a daily basis. Stepwise logistic regression models were built to test for associations between sociodemographic and dietary diversity variables and LBW incidence. There were 157 mothers with and 214 without an LBW child. Women's diets mainly consisted of grains, such as wheat, rice, maize, and roots and tubers. Eggs and meat were consumed by less than 1% of the women. There were 20% lesser chances of an LBW child with increasing maternal dietary diversity scores (odds ratio: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.96). The poor maternal diet quality during pregnancy may result in adverse birth outcomes with long-term consequences in a child.

Highlights

Low birth weight (LBW), defined as birth weight less than 2500 grams, is associated with increased child morbidity and mortality [1]
Mothers with an LBW child gained 6.6 kg during pregnancy compared to 7.5 kg by mothers without an LBW child
We found 20% decreased odds of an LBW child among mothers who had a higher dietary diversity. e association was significant after adjustments for potential confounders like maternal educational status, socioeconomic status, early marriage, and antenatal care

Summary

Introduction

Low birth weight (LBW), defined as birth weight less than 2500 grams, is associated with increased child morbidity and mortality [1]. 20 million births are LBW in a year, 90% of which occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) [2]. India alone accounts for 40% of all LBW babies born in LMIC [3]. E percentage of LBW among newborns varies markedly across geographies in India, with states like Odisha, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh, reporting the prevalence around 14–18% [5]. Multiple risk factors associated with LBW include maternal age, socioeconomic characteristics, and nutritional status before and during pregnancy [6]. Maternal undernutrition, including macronutrient and micronutrient deficiencies, is causally linked with LBW and two of its underlying causes, including preterm births and small for gestational age [7]. Maternal undernutrition is widely prevalent in the country, especially among marginalized populations. Some studies conducted in the country showed that around 30% of pregnant women had copper deficiency [9, 10], and 65% of pregnant women had zinc deficiency [3]

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Results

Conclusion