Prepregnancy and pregnancy nutrition and its impact on women's health

The overall nutrition status of females remains deficient. Among female school children 13-18 years of age, calorie consumption ranged from 65-90% of the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance), protein consumption from 60-71% of RDA, and vitamin A intake was 50% of RDA. Prevalence of anemia ranged from 72-98% and that of intestinal parasitic infection ranged from 17-62%. Gender bias may adversely affect the nutrition of the female child. An adolescent is likely to begin pregnancy with a negative nutrition balance. In a multicentric study, 93,356 married women, aged 15-45 years, were interviewed at home in a community-based survey from 23 districts in India. Forty to eighty percent were married before 18 years of age, and the incidence of teenage pregnancy was 66%. The magnitude of the problem and the adverse effects malnutrition may have in later life requires well-designed studies in order to find solutions.