In several developing countries around the world and especially in South Asia countries, the major nutritional problems that they are facing on a public-health scale are related to infants and mothers. Maternal mortality rates in these countries range from 140 to 540; almost a third of infants are of low birth weight (<2.5 kg) and over 50% of under-fives are “stunted”. The latest National Family Health Surveys data shows a maternal mortality rate of 540 in India. Thus more than 100,000 women in India die each year due to pregnancy related causes. These maternal causes are due to Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) or Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids deficiency.
Low birth weight is multifactorial in its causation. Possible factors for low birth weight are anemia, infections, low energy intake, low weight gain in pregnancy, low pregnancy weight, short maternal stature and smoking. The studies of Barker et al’ have revealed disturbing long term implications of intra-uterine growth retardation and low birth weight which is predisposition to chronic degenerative diseases in adulthood. Retardation of growth and development at the intrauterine stage and in early infancy are perhaps the most urgent public health nutrition problems confronting many developing countries today.
Diets of poor populations in these South Asian developing countries are deficient in nutrients especially EFAs and highly in need of overall improvement. That good maternal nutrition status – at the pre-conceptional and post-conceptional stages, is important for maternal health, and fetal development, is now well recognized. However, precise information as to the crucial nutrients involved in ensuring optimal nutrition in pregnancy, lactation and in infant/child development could provide practical leads to public health agencies as to the specific directions in which dietary improvement must be attempted. It is in this context that the emerging knowledge on the importance of EFAs in maternal and infant nutrition is of great practical relevance.
Mike Maunu – Founder
Oxygen4Life.com
