Maternal nutritional status as a determinant of child health

J Trop Pediatr. 1993 Apr;39(2):86-8. doi: 10.1093/tropej/39.2.86.

Abstract

To determine the relationship between the nutritional status of the mother and that of the child, 339 children aged 3-36 months and their mothers in two urban hospitals and a community out-patient clinic, were studied. The weight and height of both children and their mothers were measured, and body mass indices (BMI) of the mothers were calculated. Socio-economic status, maternal educational level, and dietary information were recorded in a predesigned questionnaire. The child's nutritional status, as indicated by weight for age (as a percentage of NCHS median), was associated with the body mass index of the mother (P < 0.001), socio-economic status of the family (P < 0.001), and breastfeeding status of the child (P < 0.005) in a multivariate analysis after adjusting for several prognostic factors. The results indicate that maternal nutritional status is a proximate determinant of a child's nutritional status and should be considered in programmes aiming at improving child health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bangladesh
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Mothers*
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Socioeconomic Factors