Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
03:35

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: December 1, 2023

783

Maternal depressive symptoms and child nutritional status: A cross-sectional study in socially disadvantaged

Qamar Saeed1, Nadia Shah1, Sumera Inam1

  • 11 School of Public Health, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

Journal of Child Health Care : for Professionals Working with Children in the Hospital and Community
|November 10, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Maternal depression significantly increases the risk of malnutrition in children under two. Mothers experiencing depressive symptoms were over three times more likely to have stunted or underweight children in Pakistan.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Child Nutrition
  • Maternal Mental Health

Background:

  • Malnutrition is a leading cause of child illness and death globally.
  • The impact of maternal depression on child nutrition, particularly in developing nations, requires further investigation for public health insights.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between maternal depressive symptoms and the nutritional status of children under two years old.
  • To assess the public health implications of maternal depression in low socioeconomic communities in Pakistan.

Main Methods:

  • Data collected from 325 mothers with children under two in a low socioeconomic community in Pakistan.
  • Maternal depressive symptoms assessed using the Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (score ≥ 20).
  • Logistic regression models used to determine the association between maternal depression and child stunting and underweight.

Main Results:

  • 40% of mothers screened positive for depressive symptoms.
  • Prevalence of stunting and underweight in children was 36.6% and 35.4%, respectively.
  • Maternal depressive symptoms were significantly associated with increased odds of children being stunted (OR 3.15) and underweight (OR 3.26).

Conclusions:

  • Maternal depressive symptoms are a significant risk factor for malnutrition (stunting and underweight) in young children.
  • Factors like low maternal education, unemployment, and low household income correlate with higher risks of child malnutrition.
  • Interventions addressing maternal mental health are crucial for improving child nutritional outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Keywords:
Depressive symptomsmaternalstunting and underweight

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes03:19

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes

Published on: June 28, 2024

809
Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

3.8K

Related Concept Videos

Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
734
Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
1.4K
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
664
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia01:29

Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...
666
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia01:27

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
849
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
4.1K