Nutritional Status Of Women Research Articles

District Level Child and Women Nutritional Status in Andhra Pradesh State of India-Food Based Intervention Options for Improvement and Associated Issues

District Level Child and Women Nutritional Status in Andhra Pradesh State of India-Food Based Intervention Options for Improvement and Associated Issues

Dietary Behaviour of Pregnant Women in Ethiopia: The Missing Aspect of Care.

Background: Nutrition and adequate dietary intake during pregnancy strongly influence the health and well-being of the mother, as well as the physical and cognitive development of the unborn child. While previous studies have documented factors associated with the dietary behaviour of pregnant women in Ethiopia, a comprehensive overview is missing. Objective: The aim of this study was to close this research gap. Methodology: We conducted a mapping review, including 37 studies published between 2000 and 2022 in our analysis. Dietary behaviour refers to all phenomena related to food choice, eating behaviour and dietary intake. We used an innovative approach by integrating a socio-ecological framework with UNICEF's conceptual framework on maternal and child nutrition, which specifies multidimensional individual, underlying and enabling determinants associated with the nutritional status of women. Importantly, we integrated a focus on care for women and healthy environments. Results: A total of 68 factors were identified as influencing the dietary behaviour of pregnant women, with a focus on the intra- (31/68) and interpersonal (21/68) levels, while factors at the community (11/68) and the institutional levels (5/68) were scarce. Few studies investigated socio-cultural aspects, such as gender roles, decision-making power and workload of women, psychological factors and eating practices related to food taboos. None of the studies explored the influence of resources at the institutional level. Conclusions: This attests that the focus in maternal nutrition is still placed on the individual responsibility of women, instead of addressing the structural conditions that would enable women to access resources such as land, education and nutrition information.

Health and Nutritional Status of Women in Sant Kabir Nagar, District of Uttar Pradesh: Deviation from State

This study investigates the health and nutritional status of women in Sant Kabir Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, and offers a comparative analysis with broader trends observed across the state. The research addresses significant issues related to women's health, including malnutrition, anemia, and access to delivery care services. Utilizing data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) this study explores how far the women of the district stand from state level in terms of women’s health and nutritional status. By comparing the district-specific data of Sant Kabir Nagar with state level, the study aims to identify disparities among health and nutritional status of women. The findings provide insights into regional health disparities and inform potential policy interventions to improve women's health and nutrition in both Sant Kabir Nagar and Uttar Pradesh as a whole.

Seasonal variations in household food security and consumption affect women's nutritional status in rural South Ethiopia.

Food availability varies seasonally in most rural areas of developing nations, especially in areas affected by drought and climate change, with women being one of the most vulnerable groups. This study aimed to assess the effect of seasonal variation in household food security, adequate dietary diversity, food consumption, and wealth on the nutritional status of women of reproductive age in a rural community in South Ethiopia. Further, the study aimed at identifying associated factors with women's nutrition status. An open cohort study was conducted from June 2021 to June 2022, with follow-up visits every three months. Anthropometric measurements were carried out along with interviews. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15. Multilevel, multiple linear regressions were employed. Findings revealed that women's average body mass index (BMI) was 20.4 kg/m2 (95% CI: 20.4-20.5). The highest (20.6 kg/m2, 95% CI: 20.5-20.8) was observed in December, while the lowest (20.2 kg/m2, 95% CI: 20-20.3) occurred in September. During the main postharvest period in December, the household food insecurity score was the lowest (median: 4, Inter quartile range (IQR): 0-9), while the household dietary diversity score (median: 6, IQR: 5-7), and the household food consumption score were the highest (median: 50.5, IQR: 44-70). Factors such as household food security, food consumption, previous season BMI, age, marital status, and membership in safety net programs were identified as determinants of women's BMI. The study showed the vulnerability of women in drought-prone areas to seasonal undernutrition. We recommend collaborative work among stakeholders to ensure sustainable food access and minimize seasonal food shortages' effect on women's nutrition and overall well-being.

Nutritional Status of Women, Adolescent Girls and Young Children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Nutritional Status of Women, Adolescent Girls and Young Children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Dr. Coluthur Gopalan: Father of Indian Nutrition Science.

Dr. Coluthur Gopalan, a towering figure in nutrition science in India, made seminal contributions that transformed public health and nutrition policy in the country. Born in Salem, Tamil Nadu, in 1918, Dr. Gopalan's illustrious academic journey began at the Christian College High School and Madras Medical College, where he earned his M.D. in General Medicine in 1943. The Bengal Famine of 1942 profoundly influenced his career, steering him towards nutrition research. Awarded the Nuffield Foundation Scholarship, he earned a Ph.D. in nutrition from the University of London in just 30 months. Upon his return to India, he joined the Nutrition Research Laboratories (NRL) in Coonoor in 1949, which later became the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), where he significantly broadened the scope of nutrition research. Dr. Gopalan's work laid the foundation for pivotal national nutrition programs, such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the midday meal scheme for schoolchildren. His tenure as Director of NIN (1960-1974) and later as Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) from 1974 to 1979 saw major advancements in addressing malnutrition and emerging issues like overnutrition. His dedication to improving women's and children's nutritional status left a lasting impact on public health in India. Dr. Gopalan's pioneering research on protein-calorie malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and holistic approaches to nutritional problems provided critical insights and guided thenational policies. As an institution builder, he transformed NIN into a premier research center and during his tenure established new research institutes at ICMR, fostering a robust framework for future research. His advocacy ensured that nutrition was prioritized in national development plans, leading to significant health improvements. Internationally recognized, Dr. Gopalan's contributions included efforts to improve global nutrition, earning him numerous accolades. His legacy, encapsulated in the Nutrition Foundation of India, and his several contributionscontinueto be a vital resource for nutritionists and policymakers, ensuring lasting benefits for future generations. Dr. Gopalan's compassionate personality, visionary leadership, and holistic approach have indelibly advanced the nutritional status and health of millions globally.

Determinants of birth weight and length: an analysis of the 2020 mothers' cohort register data

A woman's nutritional status significantly impacts the qualities of the baby she delivers, as assessed by the baby's weight and length at birth. This study aimed to identify factors influencing birth weight and length using a retrospective case-control design with secondary data collected from the mothers' cohort register at the Community Health Center in 2020-2021. The study included 100 samples, comprising 25 cases and 75 controls. Several determinants of birth weight and length were examined: the mother's age (OR=4.1, 95% CI 1.41-12.0), weight gain during pregnancy (OR=3.6, 95% CI 1.051-12.553), mid-upper arm circumference (OR=2.9, 95% CI 1.061-8.220), hemoglobin level (OR=4.711, 95% CI 1.57-14.11), and iron supplement intake (OR=1.837, 95% CI 0.600-5.624), with hemoglobin level identified as the most influential factor on birth qualities. Mothers with less than normal hemoglobin levels have a 4.7 times higher risk of delivering babies of lower weight and length than mothers with normal hemoglobin levels. The impact of low hemoglobin in pregnant women includes reduced oxygen supply for both the mother and fetus, resulting in low birth weight, child anemia, premature birth, and child mortality. Given these significant effects, it is crucial to establish standards for health services in Indonesia, ensuring that pregnant women with low hemoglobin receive comprehensive care aligned with Indonesia's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) standards.

Determinants of Nutritional Status of Pregnant Women at Njoro Sub County Hospital, Nakuru County, Kenya

Globally, maternal nutrition is an essential aspect of every pregnant woman’s life. Proper maternal nutrition during prenatal and post-natal periods has been shown to reduce the risks of maternal and infant complications. Pregnant women who have not achieved optimal nutrition are at higher risk of experiencing poor pregnancy outcomes. In many countries around the world, Kenya not an exception, the nutritional status of women is unacceptably poor, far too many women cannot access the nutrition services they need for optimal health. Therefore, the current study aimed at establishing the determinants of nutritional status of pregnant women at Njoro Sub County Hospital, Nakuru County, Kenya. The study used descriptive survey research design. A total sample of 80 pregnant women attending prenatal clinic at Njoro Sub County Hospital, Nakuru County was selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected through questionnaires to establish determinants of nutritional Status of pregnant women at Njoro Sub County Hospital. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. The result of the study reveals that the determinants of nutritional status of the respondents were maternal education, level of income, land ownership and crop farming. The findings show that the overall nutritional knowledge of the respondents was 33% high, 53.3% moderate and 13.3% low. Secondly, results indicate that a majority (90%) of pregnant women attending ANC at Njoro Sub County Hospital had good nutrient adequacy (>5 food groups) with only 10% having nutrient inadequacy. Thirdly, findings show that the nutritional status of the pregnant women was very good, standing at 96.7 % (MUAC above 23cm). The study recommends that health care workers should create awareness by providing nutrition education on the importance of optimal maternal nutrition, both to the baby and the mother. Secondly, Pregnant women who have financial difficulties need to be identified and support provided for them in terms of nutritious food. Finally, community health volunteers need to have a record and keep track of all pregnant women in the community to ensure that they seek early antenatal services.

The effects of pregnancy-related changes in eating attitudes and behaviours on nutritional status.

During pregnancy, the requirements of essential nutrients for the mother and foetus increase. The changes in pregnant women's eating behaviours may vary according to their sociodemographic characteristics. It is important to meet these increased requirements and understand the factors influencing eating habits during pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the effects of changes in pregnant women's eating attitudes and behaviours and their sociodemographic characteristics on their meeting status for nutrient recommendations. Sociodemographic information, eating behaviours, and attitudes of 656 pregnant women were obtained in face-to-face interviews between February and June 2020. Food consumption records were taken with a 24-hour recall method and evaluated according to the estimatedaverage requirementvalue. The average age of pregnant women was 29.0 ± 5.2 years, 28.0% were high school graduates, and 69.2% were non-working. The frequency of intakes below the estimated mean requirement value were iron, folic acid, vitamin B6, niacin, and calcium. It was demonstrated that there was a significant difference in snack consumption based on the working status and nutrition information obtained (P < .05). Getting nutrition information, age, education level, working status, and pre-pregnancy body mass index significantly increased food consumption (P < .05). Inadequate nutrient intake is a common public health problem in pregnant women. It is necessary to identify the sociodemographic characteristics that negatively impact pregnant women's nutritional status and to develop nutrition and health education programs based on these features.

A study of Rural Women's Health

According to the World Health Organization, health is not merely the absence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. The real meaning of being healthy is focusing on yourself and adopting healthy ways of living. After independence in India, health has been one of the main goals facing the country. There have always been obstacles in bringing health facilities to the rural people of the country. The average life expectancy of people in India increased from 32 years in 1951 to 64.6 years for men and 67.6 years for women in 2011. If we look at the nutritional status of women and adolescents in India, 58% of pregnant women are anaemic. 33% of malnourished women, 30% of married women under the age of 18 and 42% of women with low weight during pregnancy. A study unit of 10 villages has been selected from each taluka of Bhavnagar district. A total of 300 women namely 30-30 rural women from each village have been purposefully selected through Yadachh demonstration method. In the present study, 62% of the respondents have common illnesses like cold, cough, fever, and headache, in modern times, very few people take home remedies during the treatment of the illness, while the maximum number of respondents take the treatment in the hospital. There is a government hospital facility in their village to a small extent, while there is a small amount of private hospital, the government health worker comes to their village to a very small extent, 68% of the respondents say that the doctor comes regularly to the health center of their village, 69% of the subjects under study. The respondent is getting satisfactory advice from the employee. In the present study, more than half of the respondents have to pay the expenses of the illness to their husbands, while less amount have to be paid by themselves. In the present study maximum respondents know about Ma Amritham Yojana but take little benefit of it. In the present study only 8% respondents deliver at home. While 28% of the respondents give birth in a hospital and 42% in a private hospital. In the present study, rural women suffered from many health related problems due to economic factors. In the present study also more health related problems have been observed in uneducated women as compared to educated women. Overhead delivery is very harmful to a woman's health. Rural women have a high rate of miscarriage due to lack of education and awareness or other family reasons that negatively affect their health. Even today, there is a tradition in the rural society that after all the men in the house have eaten, the women eat, due to which there is not enough food left. This leads to malnutrition among rural women and this condition of malnutrition over time creates serious diseases. These health issues arise in villages under study where facilities are lacking.

Anaemia prevalence and socio-demographic factors among women of reproductive age (WRA): A geospatial analysis of empowered action group (EAG) states in India

Anaemia remains a major nutritional-related health concern for women under reproductive age (WRA) in developing nations like India as well as the Indian EAG states. According to NFHS round-5, EAG states constitute 57% of WRA having any form of anaemia, higher than many other states of India and other developed and developing nations. This study aimed to assess the frequency of anaemia among the WRA in India's eight EAG states. Also, it attempts to analyse the causes associated with anaemia by the women's background characteristics with spatial correlation with its co-variates across 291 districts of the EAG states. One of the most current Demographic and Health Survey's (DHS) cross-sectional data is the NFHS-5th (2019–21) round taken, conducted by the IIPS under the administration of MoHFW, India. This study only included 315,069 women under reproductive age (WRA). The variables related to anaemia among women's (WRA) background socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using bivariate statistics and multinominal logistic regression analysis to comprehend the spatial correlation between women and their determinant factors. Among the EAG states, the overall prevalence of anaemia was 57%, varying from 42.6% in Uttarakhand to 65.3% in Jharkhand. Multinominal logistic regression analyses reveal that the chances of anaemia are remarkably more prevalent in younger women (15–19 years of age), women living in rural areas, no educated and primary level educated women, women belonging to the middle to poorest wealth quintile, women no longer living together, women of the Christian religion, women who are not exposed to reading newspapers, underweight BMI women, and scheduled tribe women. Mainly, the prevalence is observed in the North-eastern and southeastern states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, some parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, which is shown by the hotspot map. According to the findings of this study, numerous factors like family, socioeconomic, educational, awareness, and individual characteristics such as caste and domicile all lead to a risk of anaemia. The WRA suffers from anaemia as a result of their socioeconomic background and awareness, which leads to a lack of nourishment, and they seek nutrient deficiencies. To overcome this anaemia, multiple discipline policies and initiatives need to be taken targeting women's wellness and nutritional status by increasing women's education and socioeconomic status.

Association of Intimate Partner Violence and Nutritional Status of Women (aged 15-49 years) in West Bengal, India

Background: Violence against women- especially Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and sexual violence is one of the major public health problems in both developing and developed countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate IPV and nutritional status of women ages 15-49 years in West Bengal, India. Methods: We used National Family Health Survey data, 2015-2016 of West Bengal, India. 1981 sample was used for the present study. Nutritional status was measured by Body Mass Index (BMI) and anemia. IPV included physical, emotional and sexual violence with or without controlled behavior. Other socio economic and demographic factors like educational attainments, age of the respondent, occupation, caste, religion, wealth index, residential pattern etc. were considered in this study for possible predictors of IPV. Results: The study revealed that prevalence of underweight and anemia among women in West Bengal, India was 20% and 20.1% respectively. More prevalence of underweight and anemia were observed among women who were exposed to physical, emotional and sexual violence by their intimate partner. Though we did not find any significant association of IPV and nutritional status, however a significant association was found between educational attainment and IPV. Study revealed that chances of underweight and anemia among women decreased with increased educational level of women. Respondents belonging in rich family were more likely to have better health status among women in West Bengal. No significant association was found between anemic status of women and their age, educational attainment and occupation. However, logistic regression model demonstrated that Muslim and other women were more likely to have anemia than Hindu women. Conclusion: The study concluded that IPV played an important role in increasing likelihood of women’s nutritional and anemic status. The study also showed that some socio-economic and demographic factors were predictors of women’s nutritional and anemic status. Our findings can help government and NGOs for taking health policy to improve the health status of women aged 15-49 years.

Iodine nutritional status in women of reproductive age in algeria

Iodine nutritional status in women of reproductive age in algeria

Factors Associated with the Nutritional Status of Women with Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer in a Brazilian High Complexity Oncology Center

Background: Breast cancer poses a significant public health concern owing to its high prevalence and the risk of mortality associated with delayed diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status of women with non-metastatic breast cancer and to identify factors associated with it. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a High Complexity Oncology Assistance Center in the southeast region of Brazil, with the aim of assessing the nutritional status in women undergoing treatment for stage I, II, or III breast cancer. Patients in palliative care or undergoing reconstructive surgery were excluded. Data collection took place between June 2022 and March 2023 and included questionnaires, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and anthropometric assessments. Nutritional status was assessed using measures such as BMI and skinfold thickness, while nutritional risk was assessed using the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) tool. Results: Significant associations were found between nutritional risk and educational level (p = 0.03) and BMI (p = 0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between educational level and nutritional risk, indicating that lower educational level was associated with higher odds of nutritional risk (OR = 4.59; 95% CI = 1.01–21.04; p = 0.049). In addition, regarding BMI, it was observed that a BMI above 20.5 kg/m2 was associated with a higher likelihood of nutritional risk (OR = 0.09; 95% CI = 0.01–0.89; p = 0.039). Conclusions: It is crucial to consider the nutritional status of breast cancer patients, alongside clinical factors, to offer comprehensive and personalized care. Gaining insight into the sociodemographic variables linked to nutritional risk can significantly contribute to our understanding of breast cancer. This knowledge, in turn, can aid in identifying effective strategies for public policy, health promotion, and prevention efforts aimed at tackling this condition.

Relationship Between Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI), Number of Pregnancies, and Number of Nutrition Education Participation with Circumference Upper Arm (LILA) of Pregnant Women

Pregnant women's nutritional condition is determined by their Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), which measures the body's state of balance. Factors influencing pregnant women's nutritional status include a history of body mass index before pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, and the number of participations in nutrition education. This study sought to discover the link between the history of body mass index before pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, and the number of participations in nutrition education with Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) of pregnant women in the Working Area of the Tanjung Bintang Inpatient Public Health Center in 2022. The type of research is observational, analytic design, and cross-sectional, conducted from November to December 2022. The population in the study was 286, and the total sample was 80 respondents using the basic method of random sampling. The instrument used is a questionnaire. The data analysis used is the Spearman Correlation test. The results showed that the average Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)of pregnant women was 25.54 with a standard deviation of 3.01, the average respondent's history of BMI was 22.272 kg/m2, the average number of respondents' pregnancies was 2.31 times, the average participation in nutrition education respondents as much as 2.93 times. The data analysis results showed a relationship between body mass index (p=0.0001) and the number of pregnancies (p=0.004) with the Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)of pregnant women. There was no correlation between the number of participants in nutrition education (p=0.698) and the Mid- Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC)of pregnant women. It is hoped that the results of this study can add to knowledge about the relationship between the history of body mass index before pregnancy, the number of pregnancies, and the number of participants in nutrition education with MUAC for pregnant women.

Trends and socioeconomic disparities in undernutrition among Muslim women in India: evidence from the last two decades (1998–2021)

PurposeA woman's nutritional status significantly determines her overall well-being. The authors critically examine the trends — including socioeconomic disparities — in undernutrition among Muslim women in India, a notably socio-economically disadvantaged group. The authors also investigate trends and variations across the dimensions of caste, place of residence (rural/urban), education, economic status and geographic regions.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis leverages the nationally representative National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) of India conducted between 1998 and 2021. The authors examined poor–rich ratios, concentration indices, disparity ratios and predicted probabilities of being underweight (captured using Body Mass Index).FindingsFrom 1998 to 2021, there has been a decline in undernutrition prevalence among Muslim women. However, stark socioeconomic variations persist. While the prevalence has decreased over time across all socioeconomic groups, disparities — both within and between groups — remain significant and, in many cases, have expanded. For certain socioeconomic subgroups (e.g. Muslim women with no formal education or those in the Central and Northeast regions), the disparity doubled between 1998 and 2021. In regions like the South, where undernutrition prevalence is low or has reduced, disparities remain significant and generally have increased.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, the study is the first to provide a comprehensive examination of the prevalence, trends and socioeconomic disparities in undernutrition among Muslim women in India over the past two decades.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-04-2023-0320

The Relationship of Acne Vulgaris with Nutritional Status in Women

Amaç: Bu çalışma beslenme durumunun akne vulgaris ile ilişkisini değerlendirmek amacıyla planlanmış ve yürütülmüştür. &#x0D; Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya polikliniğe başvuran ve dahil olma kriterlerini karşılayan 34 aknesi olan kadın ile araştırmacı tarafından kişisel ve sosyal ağlar kullanılarak seçilen 34 aknesi olmayan kadın gönüllü dahil edilmiştir. Akne vulgaris şiddeti uzman dermatolog tarafından tanı konulmuştur. Veriler sorumlu diyetisyen tarafından yüz-yüze görüşme yöntemiyle toplanmış, kadınların antropometrik ölçümleri yapılmış, bazı beslenme alışkanlıkları sorgulanmış, üç günlük besin tüketim kaydı alınmıştır. &#x0D; Bulgular: Akne vulgarisi olmayan kadınların sırasıyla beden kütle indeksi, vücut yağ yüzdesi 21,13±2,39 kg/m2, %22,44±6,16 iken olanların ise sırasıyla 21,92±2,49 kg/m2, %24,36±5,13 olduğu saptanmıştır. Akne vulgarisi olmayan kadınların %8,8’i, olanların %17,6’sı hiç ara öğün tüketmemektedir. Çalışmaya katılan kadınların günlük enerji alım ortalamaları aknesi olmayanlarda olanlara göre daha düşük (sırasıyla 1260,04±371,83 kkal, 1586,04±416,14 kkal) bulunmuştur (p

Relationship Between Energy, Fat, and Carbohydrate Consumption Habits in Pregnant Women Chronic Energy Deficiency during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Background: Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) during the COVID-19 pandemic affects the nutritional status of pregnant women. CED is indicated by the size of LiLA &lt; 23.5 cm. This study aims to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women with chronic energy deficiency. Method: The study used a systematic review of relevant articles from databases (Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) using keywords in Indonesian and English. Nine articles were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: publication from 2017 to 2021, discussing food consumption habits in pregnant women, articles in English or Indonesian, full text, open access, and scientific journals. Results: The results of this study can evaluate the consumption habits of pregnant women CED caused by inadequate food intake and less diverse food. Less food consumption habits in pregnant women are caused by low family income, human resources, education, and lack of family support to consume nutritional food. Conclusion: The study concludes that adequate food intake and good human resource consumption habits can affect pregnant women's nutritional status.

Nutritional Status of Women of Reproductive Age in a Rural Area of Southwestern Bihar during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Introduction: Health and well-being of any population are reflected by its nutritional status, which is mainly determined by two important factors, namely dietary intake and the food habits. About 22.9% of women in reproductive age (15–49 years) in India and about 30.4% of women in Bihar are undernourished, with a body mass index (BMI) of &lt;18.5 kg/m2. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the study were to assess the nutritional status and to find out the association between sociodemographic variables and nutritional status of women in the reproductive age group in a rural area of southwestern Bihar. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 311 women of the reproductive age group residing in rural field practice area of NMCH, Sasaram, who gave informed consent to participate in the study. Results: After analysis, it was found that 74% of the women consumed a mixed Indian diet, 24% of women took their first meal in the afternoon and in 64% of women, diet diversity was not maintained, about 74% of the women are within the normal range of BMI. Diet diversity was maintained in the literate group with educational status above the primary level and the association between diet diversity and educational status was statistically significant (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that women of reproductive age in this part of Bihar also suffer from a dual burden of malnutrition, with the majority being undernourished, whereas a few also being suffering from a higher waist–hip ratio.

The effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication through community-level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women in the Ambo district, Ethiopia: A randomized controlled trial.

Pregnant women in Ethiopia often had trouble understanding the normal nutrition and health information given by health professionals and found it inconsistent. Undernutrition is still a significant public health problem as a result. Hence, this trial aimed to assess the effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication using the community-level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women. Cluster-randomized controlled community trial with baseline and endline measurements were used. Endpoint data from 744 pregnant women (372 intervention and 372 control groups) were gathered, respectively. In the intervention group, the community-level actors delivered the behavior change communication main message based on intervention protocol. The control group got nutrition information during their ANC visits but did not receive the behavior change communication intervention. Binary generalized estimating equations regression analyses adjusted for baseline covariates were used to test effects of the intervention on nutritional status. Following the trial's implementation, the prevalence of undernutrition in the intervention arm fell by 10% from the baseline (23.7% vs. 13.7%) and was 13.7% lower than in the control arm (13.7% vs. 27.4%, p = <.001). Pregnant women in the intervention group showed significantly lower risk of undernutrition than the control group (ARR = 0.21; 95% CI 0.14-0.30). This study showed that engaging community actors to communicate about nutrition and health behavior change was successful in enhancing pregnant women's nutritional status. Therefore, nutrition and health behavior change communication through the community-level actors is recommended to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women.