RESUMO
Background: There is evidence to suggest that the criterial for nutritional assessment of pregnant women, uses by the Chilean Ministry of Health, overestimates nutritional disturbances. Aim: To propose a new reference table to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women, based on body mass index. Material and metbods: The table was theoretically defined using criteria for normality proposed by FAO and the weight increase during pregnancy that is associated with a lower maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. In 665 pregnant women, weight, height, mid arm circumference and skinfolds were measured using standard techniques. Body mass index, arm fat and muscle area and percentage of body fat were calculated. Body composition for each nutritional category, derived from the body mass index or "Rosso-Mardones classification", was analyzed. Results: According to the new table, under weight women had lower percentage of body fat and mid arm circunference and overweight women had higher weight, skinfold thickness and percentage of body fal than the homologous groups defined according to Rosso-mardones tables. Conclusions: The proposed reference table may be useful to correct distortions generated by the current norms for nutritional assessment of pregnant women, proposed by the Chilean Ministry of Health. It has to be validated, analyzing its sensitivity, specificity and predictive value to predrict fetal and maternal variables