Pregnancy weight gain (PWG) and its trajectory impact on birth outcomes( Reference Dietz, Callaghan, Cogswell, Morrow, Ferre and Shieve 1 , Reference Strauss and Dietz 2 ) and birth weights. Providing adequate nutritional support at low cost in poor communities however remains a challenge. In this study we tested the effect of a locally produced ready to use food multimix on PWG and birth size in a low-income community in South Africa.
Following ethical approval, 120 healthy pregnant women were recruited from four antenatal clinics in a randomised controlled feeding intervention and assigned to intervention (n=60) or control (n=60) groups. Baseline health screening, repeated 24 hr recall dietary assessment and food frequency questionnaires were administered. The intervention group received Daily Diet plus 100 g of formulated food multimix (DD+FMM) of known energy and nutrient content. The control group, Daily Diet plus placebo (DD+P) in the form of a local powdered soup of known nutrient composition with regular supplies at 2-weekly follow-up. Maternal weight was monitored and birth weights of newborns recorded. Differences in means were tested for significance using independent t-test.
Mean daily energy and selected nutrient intake comparisons were: DD+P: energy, 6.67 (±2.94) MJ/d; protein, 69.29 (±32.13) g; Ca, 286.50 (±200.83) mg; Fe, 10.54 (±10.84) mg; Zn, 8.37 (±5.46) mg; Cu, 1.1 (±1.14) mg; folate, 222.33 (±174.86) mcg compared to DD+FMM which were 7.96MJ/d; 76.35 mg; 331.67 mg; 19.78 (±4.45) mg; 11.32(4.98) mg; 1.69(±1.22) mg and 333.2 (143.92) mcg respectively. Mean total PWG and birth weights were 11.50 (±1.35) and 10.40 (±1.59) kg in intervention and controls (p<0.001); and 3.02(0.38) and 2.71(0.28) kg (p<0.001) respectively.
We conclude that locally produced complementary foods can contribute significantly to pregnancy outcomes.
