Factors affecting nutritional status of adolescent mothers in Metro Cebu /
Judith Rafaelita B. Borja.
- Los Baños, Laguna : University of the Philippines, 1991.
- xiii, 141 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Thesis (M.S. - - Applied Nutrition) University of the Philippines, College, Laguna.
Includes bibliographical references.
JUDITH RAFAELITA B. BORJA. University of the Philippines at Los Banos, June 1991. Factors Affecting Nutritional Status of Adolescent Major Professor: Dr. Corazon VC. Barba.
This study was designed to generate baseline information on the primiparous adolescent mother from Metro Cebu. The main concern was to find out how the simultaneous nutrient demands imposed by pregnancy and her own physical growth affect maternal nutritional status. The study covered from pregnancy to one year postpartum.
Characteristics of the adolescent mothers were compared with older primiparous mothers aged 20 to 25 years old. Maternal characteristics at pregnancy were analyzed for possible influences on maternal nutritional status at pregnancy and on pregnancy outcome.
Likewise, the influences of maternal characteristics, nutritional status at pregnancy and infant feeding practice on postpartum nutritional status were determined.
Findings revealed that, although the adolescent mothers were less educated, less conscientious with their health during pregnancy, had lower energy adequacy ratios and were gynecologically immature compared with the adult mother, no significant difference in nutritional status was found between both groups. There was no indication of stunting or wasting among the adolescent mothers for the entire study period. Although infants of adolescent mothers weighed significantly lower than those of the adult mothers mean birth weights were still above the low birth weight cut-off point of 2500 grams. Despite their marginal energy intakes, the young mothers seemed to have sustained their growth as well as that of the fetus.
After delivery, the adolescent mothers continued to have optimal nutritional status even among those who fully breastfed their infants for the first 6 months.
Regression analysis showed that at pregnancy, variations in gynecological age and alcohol consumption account for the variability in percentage standard weight-for—height (R? = .03, p< 0.05) and arm muscle area (R2 = .04, p< 0.01) at pregnancy. Number of years in school accounted for the variability in arm fat area (R? = .02, p < 0.05). In terms of pregnancy outcome, number of years in school and percentage standard weight-for-height at pregnancy had significant influences on birth weight (R? = .07, p< 0.01).
At six months postpartum, correlation analysis identified household size, prenatal care and vitamin supplementation at pregnancy and nutritional status at pregnancy as the factors significantly associated with maternal nutritional status.