Abstract
Objectives
The aims of this study were to assess maternal food habit, their nutrient intake and physical activity pattern on the new born anthropometry.
Methods
Pregnant women (n = 200) at the second and third trimesters attending secondary and tertiary health facilities in Abeokuta were systematically selected into the study using their booking register (N/n) irrespective of their social-economic characteristic. Semi structured pretested questionnaire consisting of 19point questions on food habit, FAO/WHO 24hr diet and physical activity recall (in minutes) with Ainsworth P.A compendium tracking events with meal times were administered to the respondents to assess their food habit, nutrient intake and P.A respectively while the new born anthropometry were obtained as secondary data from delivery records. The nutrient intake and P.A were evaluated using nutri-survey17.0; the nutrient intake was compared with Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) while P.A and new born anthropometry were classified according to WHO.
Results
Result indicated that 90.9% of respondents were within 20–39years, 83.0% Yoruba, 86.0% married, 50.3% had tertiary education, 32.2% were traders while 41.0% earn ₦18,000-₦50,000 monthly. Food habit shows that 12.5% has food taboo, 2.5% drink alcohol, 24.0% skip meals, 7.0% smoke cigarette, while 25.5% purchased their meals rather than prepare it.Majority (84.4%) were physically inactive, 11.1% moderately active while only 4.5% were vigorously active. About half (48.8%) of the new born were pre-termed, 20.0% had short length, 15.6% low birth weight and 31.8% had high head circumference. No direct association between P.A and the neonatal anthropometry measured but there were significant association between socio-economic status and nutrient intake (P = 0.007), nutrient intake (carbohydrate) and almost all the neonatal anthropometry (P = 0.006).
Conclusions
The carbohydrate and micronutrient intake of the study respondents influenced birth outcome especially pre-termed birth. Therefore reduction in carbohydrate and improvement in micronutrients particularly calcium are hereby recommended to the respondents of the study.
Funding Sources
None.