Impacts of dietary supplements and nutrient-rich food for pregnant women on birth weight in Sugh El-Chmis /Alkhoms – Libya

Abstract

This study aims to determine the prevalence of low birth weight in Sugh El-Chmis /Alkhoms -Libya and the associated factors with the low birth weight of the baby. A cross-sectional study was performed in Libya, in 2015 using a pretested self-administered questionnaire on a stratified sample of 408 pregnant women. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out for statistical analysis. Out of a total of 408 respondents, the prevalence of low birth-weight baby was 23.5%. The most of participants were aged between 19-26 years old (49%). Dietary supplements (folic acid, iron, omega and vitamin A, D, E, S, M), natural fruits (apple, grape, watermelon, plum, figs, strawberry and peaches), all milk and dairy products (milk, cheese and yogurt), meat, fish, egg, legumes were significantly associated with baby weight (P ˂0.05) using bivariate analysis. Furthermore, other factors such as culture and lifestyle and popular diets such as breakfast time, additional meal, soft drink, stimulants, barley wheat brown bread and dates also closely associated with the low-birth weight of new-borns (P ˂0.05). The intake of dietary supplements and nutrient-rich food for pregnant women influenced on the birth weight in Sugh El-Chmis /Alkhoms-Libya. Therefore, awareness regarding intake of dietary supplements and nutrient-rich food is highly recommended.