RESUMO
Background: Micronutrients are necessary for proper growth and development of the human body, though required in small amounts. Dietary intake of these micronutrients by lactating women is essential for their own health as well as children's overall growth and development. objective of present study is to assess the adequacy of dietary B-group vitamins intake during lactation and to find out the factors associated with their inadequate intake. Design and methods: It was a analysis of data from prospective cohort study for 10 months carried out among 340 Scheduled Tribes mothers in 10 clusters in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Data collection was done using a 24 h dietary recall questionnaire. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: All the mothers (n = 340) were not having adequate intake of Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Pantothenic acid, Biotin and Folic acid. Methyl cobalamin intake was inadequate in 37.5% mothers (n = 136). The mean intake of Vitamin B12 was 40.98 + 42.8 (SD) µg/day. Age at marriage, location and parity were significantly associated with inadequate intake of Vitamin B12. Conclusions: The current diet pattern of mothers of vulnerable groups might affect the growth and development of the infant. We strongly recommend for supplementation of B-group vitamins to pregnant and lactating women in India.
RESUMO
Introduction: Anemia is a major public health problem in India, especially among tribal women. The study was done to estimate the prevalence of iron intake below the estimated average requirement in the diet and to study the effectiveness of weekly local mothers' kitchen recipe talks. Methodology: A total of 340 women from scheduled tribes participated in a prospective cohort study over 10 months in 10 clusters in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. A questionnaire, a 24-hour dietary recall, and an assessment of hemoglobin were done to gather information at baseline and after three months of weekly local recipe talks in mothers' kitchens. Results: A total of 340 women were studied. The mean age of the mothers was 23.5 ± 3.6 years. At baseline prevalence, the mean intake of daily iron in diet among mothers was 9.04 ± 3.18 (SD) mg/day. The prevalence of anemia among mothers at the baseline was 63.8%. The mean intake of daily iron in the diet at the end line was significantly higher with a P value of 0.019 among mothers who attended 10 or more weekly local mothers' kitchen recipe talks and did not take iron folic acid (IFA). Mothers who attended 10 or more weekly local mothers' kitchen recipe talks without IFA intake have a significant drop in the prevalence of severe anemia. Conclusion: The integration of weekly local mothers' kitchen recipe talks in the ongoing Integrated Child Development Service Scheme can be a boon for early-aged, less-literate, inexperienced, and financially poor mothers.