Search for a command to run...
Purpose Poor maternal nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices during pregnancy may lead to adverse outcomes. Therefore, this study aims to longitudinally assess knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) and nutrient intakes of Indian rural and urban pregnant women and observe their association with gestational weight gain (GWG) and infant anthropometry. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 268 dyads of pregnant women and their infants enrolled in prospective longitudinal cohort-MAI (mother and infant) from August 2020-September 2023 in and around Pune, Maharashtra. The anthropometry of pregnant women and infants was measured while pregnant women were interviewed for KAP regarding nutrition and dietary intakes. Findings Rural women were younger, shorter and lighter than their urban counterparts. Pre-pregnancy BMI (20.5 ± 4.0 vs 25.5 ± 4.7 kg/m2), GWG (9.9 ± 3.7 vs 11.9 ± 4.5 kg), KAP scores (20.2 ± 3.4 vs. 26.8 ± 3.6) and infant weight (2.6 ± 0.4 vs 2.8 ± 0.5 kg) and length (48.7 ± 2.6 vs 49.4 ± 3.1 cm) of rural women was lower than urban. None of them consumed sufficient dietary protein, iron, folic acid, zinc or calcium; most consumed excess dietary carbohydrates and fats throughout pregnancy. Dietary energy (r = 0.305), calcium (r = 0.173), zinc (r = 0.122), beta-carotene (r = 0.122), iron (r = 0.137), KAP (r = 0.238) correlated with GWG and infant anthropometry. A cyclical relationship was observed between the KAP and nutrient intakes (r = 0.380). Foods such as papaya (67.3), bananas (44.2%), dark fruits and vegetables (40.1%), eggplant (38.6%), red chilies (15.8%) and jackfruit (14.6%) were avoided due to fear of spontaneous abortions. Originality/value Incorrect KAP and the dual burden of inappropriate nutrient intake owing to food taboos, lack of education and awareness were associated with GWG and infant anthropometry. Knowledge dissemination and behavior change communication strategies must be implemented to correct KAP and nutrient intake.