Association between Maternal Dietary Diversity and Low Birth Weight in Central India: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major public health challenges in India. LBW etiology is multifactorial and linked to multiple determinants, including maternal undernutrition and sociodemographic characteristics. The objective of the present endeavor was to assess how maternal dietary diversity and other sociodemographic factors among marginalized populations are associated with the incidence of LBW. The study was a part of the community-based intervention that aimed to improve maternal and child health in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India. In this case-control study, cases were defined as mothers with an LBW child (<2500 grams) and controls as mothers without an LBW child. A quantitative survey was done with women of reproductive age, having at least one child aged 0–24 months. We calculated the dietary diversity based on the number of food groups consumed during pregnancy by women on a daily basis. Stepwise logistic regression models were built to test for associations between sociodemographic and dietary diversity variables and LBW incidence. There were 157 mothers with and 214 without an LBW child. Women’s diets mainly consisted of grains, such as wheat, rice, maize, and roots and tubers. Eggs and meat were consumed by less than 1% of the women. There were 20% lesser chances of an LBW child with increasing maternal dietary diversity scores (odds ratio: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.96). The poor maternal diet quality during pregnancy may result in adverse birth outcomes with long-term consequences in a child.

Effects of dietary diversification during pregnancy on birth outcomes in east Gojjam, northwest Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study

“…After adjustment of possible covariates, the present study found that the risk of LBW in the inadequate group was six times higher compared to those born from the adequate dietary diversity score group. Our finding is consistent with that of previous studies ( 12 , 47 , 48 ). In contrast, a recent randomized controlled trial study in India reported that increased consumption of dairy, fruits, and green leafy vegetables before and during pregnancy through a specially formulated snack did not affect birth weight ( 15 ).…”

Association between dietary diversity and complications during pregnancy in a South-West District of Bangladesh

“…A balanced diet plan should adhere to the dietary recommendations for eating a wide range of foods to obtain vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, protein, and fat from multiple sources. A variety of cereals, nuts, whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, organ meats or fish, dairy or dairy products, and their substitutes have been found to be strongly linked to a reduced risk among all causes of death and significantly improve health conditions (Sharma et al, 2021). The findings of this study demonstrated that during pregnancy, most pregnant women failed to maintain their DD guidelines.…”

Factors Associated With Low Birth Weight Among the Tribal Population in India: A Narrative Review

“…In India, as part of the government's healthcare mission, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Anganwadi workers are responsible for measuring the height and weight of babies delivered in the family on the day of the delivery [ 12 ]. The WHO recommends a minimum of four appropriate prenatal and postnatal visits, during which the mother's weight, height, urine, and blood values are measured, she receives a tetanus shot, and additional dietary supplements are prescribed [ 18 ]. In high-priority districts, encouraging community-based education on better mother and baby care as well as home-based treatment for neonate infections might significantly improve newborn survival.…”

“…India has a higher weightage of LBWs than the majority of the nations, which is an important public health issue [ 17 ]. Even though the incidence of premature LBW has decreased considerably over the last 10 years, from 20.4% to 16.4%, it continues to be India's major public health problem [ 18 ]. The WHO defines an LBW baby as a baby who weighs below 2500 g at birth [ 19 ].…”