Associations between mothers' use of food to soothe, feeding mode, and infant weight during early infancy.

Weight status and rate of weight gain in the first six months postpartum are strong predictors of later obesity; thus, infant feeding practices are an important target for obesity prevention efforts. The use of food to soothe (FTS) is associated with less-favorable eating habits and weight outcomes for older infants and children. However, few studies have examined correlates of use of FTS during early infancy.

Nutrition Screening, Reported Dietary Intake, Hospital Foods, and Malnutrition in Critical Care Patients in Malawi.

In low-income countries there are few data on hospital malnutrition. Reduced food intake combined with nutrient-poor foods served in hospitals contribute to nutritional risk. This study investigated whether reported dietary intake and disease state of hospitalized adults in critical care units was related to malnutrition determined by mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC).

Effect of Nutritional Interventions on Micronutrient Status in Pregnant Malawian Women with Moderate Malnutrition: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy are common in Africa and can cause adverse outcomes. The objective was to measure micronutrient status and change in moderately malnourished pregnant Malawian women randomized to one of three nutritional interventions. Serum vitamin B, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, folate, retinol, ferritin, zinc, albumin and C-reactive protein were measured in pregnant women with MUAC ≥20.

Adolescent pregnancy and nutrition: a subgroup analysis from the Mamachiponde study in Malawi.

Young age at childbearing (≤19 years) is common and associated with poor birth outcomes. A trial among Malawian pregnant women with moderate malnutrition was used to determine outcomes of young adolescents (≤18 years), older adolescents (18-20 years), and adults (>20 years). Women received one of three supplementary foods that provided ∼900 kcal/day and 33-36 g protein/day and returned every 2 weeks.

Trial of ready-to-use supplemental food and corn-soy blend in pregnant Malawian women with moderate malnutrition: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Malnutrition during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with poor birth outcomes.

Objective: This study compared maternal and offspring anthropometry for moderately malnourished pregnant women receiving ready-to-use supplemental food (RUSF), a fortified corn-soy blend (CSB+) with a daily multiple micronutrient antenatal supplement [United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Preparation (UNIMMAP)], or standard of care comprising CSB+ and iron and folic acid (IFA).

Design: A single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in southern Malawi among 1828 pregnant women with moderate malnutrition, defined as a midupper arm circumference (MUAC) ≥20.

How maternal malnutrition affects linear growth and development in the offspring.

Maternal malnutrition is common in the developing world and has detrimental effects on both the mother and infant. Pre-pregnancy nutritional status and weight gain during pregnancy are positively related to fetal growth and development. Internationally, there is no agreement on the method of diagnosis or treatment of moderate or severe malnutrition during pregnancy.

Food fortification improves the intake of all fortified nutrients, but fails to meet the estimated dietary requirements for vitamins A and B6, riboflavin and zinc, in lactating South African women.

Objective: To investigate the impact of fortification by comparing food records and selected biochemical indicators of nutritional status pre- and post-fortification.

Design: Mean intake from 24 h recalls (n 142) was compared with the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) to determine the proportion with inadequate intake. In a subsample (n 34), diet and serum retinol, folate, ferritin and Zn were compared pre- and post-fortification for fortified nutrients vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, Fe and Zn.

Micronutrient status during lactation in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected South African women during the first 6 mo after delivery.

Background: Little information on the micronutrient status of HIV-infected (HIV-positive) breastfeeding women is available.

Objective: The objective was to compare the protein and micronutrient status of South African breastfeeding women by HIV status.

Design: Serum albumin, prealbumin, vitamin B-12, folate, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, hemoglobin, ferritin, and zinc concentrations were compared between 92 HIV-positive and 52 HIV-uninfected (HIV-negative) mothers 6, 14, and 24 wk after delivery.

Body composition changes during lactation in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected South African women.

Background: The nutritional consequences of HIV infection in lactating women are unknown.

Objective: To measure the body composition of South African lactating women in relation to HIV status.

Methods: Fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) using bioimpedance spectrometry (BIS) and anthropometric measurements were obtained at 8 and 24 weeks postpartum in 92 HIV-infected (HIVpos) and 50 HIV-uninfected (HIVneg) lactating mothers.

Comparison of isotope dilution with bioimpedance spectroscopy and anthropometry for assessment of body composition in asymptomatic HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected breastfeeding mothers.

Background: The effect of breastfeeding on the nutrition of HIV-infected (HIV+) mothers is unknown. Simple, valid methods are needed for body-composition assessment of HIV+ women.

Objective: We compared the ability of bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) and anthropometry with that of isotope dilution (2H2O) to measure fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) in HIV+ and HIV-uninfected (HIV-) breastfeeding South African mothers.