Dietary intakes of urban and rural pregnant, lactating and non-pregnant, non-lactating vegetarian women of Varanasi.

Abstract

A total of 184 pregnant 95 lactating and 20 nonpregnant nonlactating (NPNL) vegetarian women from the urban and rural areas of Varanasi were subjected to analysis of their dietary intakes. The diets of both pregnant and lactating women were inadequate in calories calcium retinol and riboflavin as compared to the Indian Council of Medical Research recommendations. The pregnant women had lower intakes of iron and riboflavin as well. The intakes of urban pregnant women were lower and those of rural pregnant women higher when compared to their NPNL counterparts. The mean intakes of various nutrients in urban and rural lactating women were higher as compared to the pregnant and NPNL counterparts. The intakes of urban lactating women were higher as compared to the rural lactating women. There appeared to be inadequate food intake rather than a protein gap. (authors)