Changes in maternal nutritional status in a chronically malnourished population in rural Bangladesh

This paper presents a descriptive analysis of maternal anthropometry in Bangladesh. Rural Bangladeshi women (aged 15–49) were found to have a mean height of 147.8 cm, mean weight of 40.8 kg with SD of 4.9 and arm circumference of 21.8 cm. Their mean weight was much lower than the weight for height standard and was negatively related to their ages. The prevalence of low hematocrit levels in this population was high (mean 34%). Nearly one tenth of the women had hematocrit levels of less than 30% even when not pregnant. A seasonal pattern of maternal nutrition was also seen, with a lean period from August through October. Body weight and hematocrit levels decreased in that period; weight gain is recorded in that period because pregnancy is also affected. This seasonal pattern of maternal weight and arm circumference correlated with seasonal availability of food. Overall, maternal nutritional status in rural Bangladesh was low at all times and was worsened by seasonal food scarcity and frequent pregnancies.