Patterns of maternal nutritional status based on mid upper arm circumference

Abstract

Objective: To determine the patterns of maternal nutrition status by using mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and to examine the association of maternal nutritional status with the nutritional status of malnourished children under two years of age. Methods: Descriptive study conducted at the Department of Pediatric Medicine of the Children’s Hospital, Lahore from January 2017 to March 2018. A total of 227 mother accompanying their children admitted for nutritional rehabilitation were included. Demographics of participants along with MUAC of every mother was taken. Data analysis was done by SPSS 22. Results: Mean maternal age was 28.29±5.30 years and mean age of children was 9.22 ± 6.05 months. Mean maternal MUAC was 25.53±3.63 cm. Normal nutrition was present in only 70 (31%), 35 (15.4%) had moderate to severe under nutrition and 68 (30%) were overweight and 17 (7.5%) were obese. Maternal illiteracy was common 150 (66%) and 203 (89%) belong to poor social class. Majority 150 (75%) children had