relationship between the nutritional state of lactating mothers and that of their infants

ABSTRACT

The relationship between the nutritional state of 150 apparently healthy lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants was studied. Maternal nutritional state was assessed in terms of height and weight measurement and dietary intake adequacy. Infant nutritional state was assessed in terms of anthropometric measurements. Data showed that the nutritional state of both mothers and their infants was satisfactory. All infant nutritional indices were significantly correlated with maternal dietary adequacy. Infant. body weight, height and head circumference showed stronger correlations than the rest of the measurements. Infant body height was associated more with maternal dietary protein while body weight was more strongly associated with maternal dietary energy, indicating that body height is more a function of proteins and body weight is more a function of energy. From the data presented in this study it can be concluded, that the general nutrition and health of breast-fed infants is strongly influenced by the state of nutrition of their mothers. Accordingly, improvement of the nutritional state of lactating mothers will be accompanied by improvement in health and growth of infants. Extra food for lactating mothers to increase breast milk volume is cheaper than breast milk substitutes for infants