Alleviation: An International Journal of Nutrition, Gender & Social Development, ISSN 2348-9340
Volume 3, Number 3 (2016) : 32-36
©Arya PG College, Panipat & Business Press India Publication, Delhi
www.aryapgcollege.com, www.apcjournals.com

Impact of Nutrition Counseling on Maternal Nutrition

Abha Khetarpal
DAV College for Girls, Yamunanagar
(Haryana), India
Email: abhakhetarpal@rediffmail.com

Abstract

Mother’s nutritional status affects the growth of the baby. The nutrients transferred to the baby will be of poor quality and quantity, if the mother is underweight. On the other hand, overweight of the mother will hinder the blood circulation to the uterus and the quantity of nutrients transferred to the placenta and to the baby will also be restricted. During lactation, nutritional needs of the mother are also increased. In the present study, the nutritional status of the nursing mother was assessed. It was found that the diets were inadequate in terms of energy, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B12 and ascorbic acid against the recommending dietary allowances of ICMR (1990). There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the intake of thiamin, ascorbic acid and iron after nutrition counseling. A highly significant (p<0.01) improvement in the blood hemoglobin level was found but no significant gain in the body weight was observed after counseling. However, the nutrition programme resulted in a highly significant (p<0.01) gain in the nutrition knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) scores of the nursing mothers.

Keywords: Nutrition Counseling, Nursing Mothers, Balanced Diet, Dietary Habits.