Published Paper Details:

BACKGROUND: The most crucial time for women to be well-nourished is during pregnancy period. During pregnancy, the added nutrient demands of fetal growth and development must be met in order to ensure optimal birth and growth outcomes. A suboptimal maternal diet and inadequate gestational weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk for adverse health outcomes for both mother and child. There are certain complications during pregnancy like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, anemia, stillbirth, low birth weight, muscle wasting and developmental delays for children. Adequate maternal nutrition helps to support the healthy growth and development of the fetus. Inadequate maternal nutrition, on the other hand, leads to poor pregnancy outcomes, such as low birth weight and preterm birth, and can also increase the risk of long-term health problems for both the mother and the child. Therefore, it is important for women to receive adequate nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum, through a balanced diet and appropriate supplementation, as recommended by the health care provider.