ABSTRACT
In order to assess the impact of lactation on the nutritional status and body composition of mothers, 134 women were followed up during a period of six months (95 were exclusively breast-feeding and 39 were bottle-feeding their babies). Their weight was measured at monthly intervals, and mid-arm circumference, skinfold thickness and food intake were determined at two and six months, respectively, as well as food intake by the 24-hour recall method. Both groups evidenced similar non significant and slight changes in weight and body composition. Only 10% of mothers showed weight losses above 4 kg; weight loss was significantly higher in overweight and obese women as compared to underweight and normal mothers. Both arm circumference and total fat (sum of skinfolds thickness) followed the same trend. Dietary intake revealed to be deficient in calories, protein, calcium, iron and vitamin A when compared to the FAO/WHO standards. Given the excellent growth curves of the children as well as the minimal changes observed in maternal nutrition and body composition, it may be assumed that the current recommended dietary allowances (FAO/WHO) are overestimated for a population of the type studied.
Subject(s)
Body Composition , Body Weight , Diet , Lactation , Bottle Feeding , Breast Feeding , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Postpartum Period , PregnancyABSTRACT
A partir de un estudio longitudinal que incluyo 745 puerperas se acordo investigar durante seis meses un total de 95 mujeres con lactancia natural exclusiva, y 39 con lactancia artificial. Mensualmente se determino el peso materno y en dos oportunidades, la ingesta alimentaria por el metodo de recordatorio de 24 horas, el perimetro braquial y los pliegues cutaneos. No se observaron cambios importantes de peso a los tres y seis meses con una evolucion del todo comparable al del grupo con lactancia natural y artificial (P, NS). La tendencia habitual fue mantener el peso a este descendio mas de 4 Kg solo en el 10%.La disminucion de peso fue significativamente mayor en nodrizas con sobrepeso u obesidad respecto a las normales y enflaquecidas. El perimetro muscular y la masa grasa siguen el mismo comportamiento. La ingesta promedio revelo deficit de energia, proteinas, calcio, hierro y vitamina A. Dado que la lactancia permitio un crecimiento optimo del nino y no se detectaron efectos nutricionales sobre el peso ni composicion corporal de la madre, se podria postular que las recomendaciones establecidas son excesivas para una poblacion con las caracteristicas analizadas