ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the evidence on the links between maternal nutrition and a range of outcomes and the current government programmes in operation to address maternal malnutrition and proposes actions for improving the maternal nutrition situation. The significance of addressing maternal undernutrition as a high risk factor for maternal mortality as well as child undernutrition is not yet well appreciated and remains a low priority in public health agenda of the country, including the package of antenatal care (ANC) services. The association of maternal nutrition with birth outcome and child undernutrition is complex and is influenced by many biologic, socio economic and demographic factors, which vary in different populations. Factors such as early marriage, women entering pregnancy with poor nutrition, inadequate knowledge of self-care and poor quality of ANC services. The Pune Maternal Nutrition Study from western India reports that the consumption of micronutrient-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, fruit and milk is significantly associated with foetal growth.
