Dietary intakes of urban and rural pregnant, lactating and non-pregnant, non-lactating vegetarian women of Varanasi

Abstract

A total of 184 pregnant, 95 lactating and 20 non-pregnant, non-lactating (NPNL) vegetarian women from the urban and rural areas of Varanasi were subjected to analysis of their dietary intakes. The diets of both pregnant and lactating women were inadequate in calories, calcium, retinol and riboflavin, as compared to the Indian Council of Medical Research recommendations. The pregnant women had also lower intakes of iron and riboflavin. The intakes of urban pregnant women were lower and those of rural pregnant women higher, as compared to their NPNL counterparts. The mean intakes of various nutrients in urban and rural lactating women were higher as compared to the pregnant and NPNL counterparts. The intakes of urban lactating women were higher as compared to rural lactating women. There was inadequate food intake rather than a protein gap.