A longitudinal analysis of the patterns and determinants of womens nutrition in the Philippines.

Between 1983-1986 health workers gathered data on 2867 slightly malnourished women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and followed them until 24 months postpartum to determine the relationship of their work and income to diet and the relationship of lactation to diet and nutritional status. The average intakes of energy and nutrients rose from the 3rd trimester to 2 months postpartum to fall consistently below baseline levels at 6 and 14 months. Yet the mean levels for energy calcium and iron remained much lower than FAO/WHO recommended levels at every stage especially for lactating women. Urban women always ate considerably more fat protein and energy than rural women (p 12 months postpartum and for rural women who breast fed for >24 months (p<.01). Further 67% had net weight losses between 2-24 months postpartum. In addition the longer the recuperation period from the nutritional stresses of lactation the more likely women would regain weight lost. This stressed the benefit of birth spacing. moreover for every additional 100kcal women ate urban women weighted on average 2.3kg more and rural women weighted 1.5kg more (p<.01 and p<.05 respectively).