Nutrient Intake of Lactating Mothers from Rural and Urban Areas

Abstract

The expectant and lactating mothers are considered as nutritionally vulnerable group especially in the developing countries of the world. Due to nursing process mothers are subjected to nutritional stresses. Frequent pregnancies followed by lactation increase the health risk of mothers resulting in a high maternal mortality. The success of lactation as well as the health status of infant depends entirely on type of diet consumed by women during pregnancy and lactation. The quality and quantity of mother's milk is maintained upto some extent by drawing the nutrients from her body reserve indicating additional demand for different nutrients during lactation. Diets consumed by many lactating mothers in our country are poor and lack in many nutrients. Thus special attention should be given to the diet of mother during lactation. The diets of the lactating mothers vary from place to place. The study was planned to have an idea of nutrient intake of lactating mothers living in rural as well as urban areas so that necessary modification can be suggested in their diet and nutrient intake for improving nutritional status of the mothers and infants too.