Weight Monitoring of Newborn In Relation to Diet of Mothers in Rural and Urban Areas

Present study was focused on the impact of different food groups on the weight of newborn. Comparison was done between rural and urban population to study the impact of different food groups on the body weight of newborn baby. The study was conducted both in rural and urban areas of Bhagalpur district. From both the areas, a total of two hundred newborns were selected, hundred from each. The information for the assessment of nutritional status of the pregnant and her newborn baby were recorded visiting different clinics/hospitals of Bhagalpur district time to time. The answers of women were recorded in the interview schedule. It was observed that the number of vegetarian pregnant was less in rural (44 %) and urban (32 %) areas than non-vegetarians. Vegetarian pregnant gave birth to heavier child in rural (3.1 kg) and urban (3.3 kg) while non-vegetarian produced newborns of 2.8 kg in rural and 2.7 kg in urban areas. Carbohydrate rich diet was their staple food. Proteinous diet was also taken in good amount by a large number of respondents and whose intake was more, gave birth to a healthier baby in both rural and urban areas. When milk intake was at minimal level, the birth weight was reduced to underweight (2.1 kg) particularly in urban area. They were aware about the importance of green leafy vegetables and maximum of them were taking it daily (48 %) while 36 percent of them were taking weekly and only 16 percent were neglecting it.