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Awareness Of Good Nutrition During Pregnancy Among Women Of Childbearing Age
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
All human
beings need a balanced amount of nutrients for proper functioning of the
body system. Nutrition is a fundamental pillar of human life, health
and development throughout the entire life span (World Bank, 2006).
Proper food and good nutrition are essential for survival, physical
growth, mental development, performance and productivity, health and
wellbeing. However, the nutrition requirement varies with respect to
age, gender and during physiological changes such as pregnancy.
Pregnancy is such a critical phase in a woman’s life, when the expecting
mother needs optimal nutrients of superior qualities to support the
developing fetus. Naturally, the urge to eat more is experienced by
nearly all pregnant women.
Pregnancy is considered to be a delightful
experience for the expectant mother. Evidences manifested that adequate
intake of nutrition is a key component for individual’s health and
well-being, particularly during pregnancy. It is well documented that
inadequate maternal nutrition results in increased risks of short term
consequences such as; Intra Uterine Growth Restriction(IUGR), low birth
weight, preterm birth, prenatal and infant mortality and morbidity.
Moreover, excessive intake of nutrients during pregnancy can lead to
some pregnancy complications (such as, preeclampsia and gestational
diabetes, macrosomia, distocia and higher prevalence of cesarean
section). On the other hand, as the long run outcomes, inadequate intake
of nutrients were found to have pathophysiologic or metabolic depict
that will appear as disorders of child growth and development as well as
adult chronic disease after a long period of quiescence. (Rocco PL,
Orbitello B, Perini L, Pera V, Ciano RP,2005)
According to Nagiebs
(2003) opined that eating well during pregnancy means do more than
simply increase how much the mother eats. The mother must also consider
what she eats. The ability of mother to provide nutrients and oxygen for
her baby is a critical factor for fetal health and its survival.
Failure in supplying the adequate amount of nutrients to meet fetal
demand can lead to fetal malnutrition. The fetus responds and adapts to
under nutrition but by doing so it permanently alters the structure and
function of the body. Maternal over nutrition also has long-lasting and
detrimental effects on the health of the offspring.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]ABSTRACTThis research work was designed to examine the awareness of good nutrition during pregnancy among women of childbearing age. Six (6) research questions were formulated and questionnaires were administered to one hundred (100) respondents in order to gather data for the research. Results showed that the pregnant women are aware of the importance of good nutrition to a child bearing mother. It was discovered that the level of education among child bearing age mother does affect their level ... Continue reading---
