THE BACON CHOW STUDY - EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION ON MATERNAL WEIGHT AND SKINFOLD THICKNESSES DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION

Effects of a feeding program on maternal weight, triceps and subscapular skinfolds during pregnancy and lactation were assessed in a marginally undernourished population of rural Taiwan. Mothers participated during 2 pregnancy and lactation periods. At 3 wk after the delivery of the 1st infant, 1 group of 114 mothers began consuming a nutrient-dense supplement (A), while another group of 111 received a placebo (B). There was no significant A-B difference in pregnancy weight gain (A 7.52 kg, B 7.75 kg) or in mean maternal weight, triceps or subscapular skinfolds at any time during pregnancy or lactation. Despite a general trend toward moderate weight loss during lactation, 1/3 of mothers in both groups gained weight. Highly significant increases in weight and skinfold thicknesses from 1 lactation period to the next characterized both groups. The absence of demonstrable supplement-effects on maternal anthropometry concomitant with increments in infant birth weight supports the notion that infants can benefit from maternal supplementation without changes in maternal nutritional status.