Perfil antropométrico de mulheres lactantes atendidas na rede pública de saúde de Natal - RN

Abstract

Excess weight is a worldwide problem, affecting people of all age groups. In the puerperium, weight changes can reflect pre-gestational nutritional status and weight gain during pregnancy, and are risk factors closely associated with weight retention in the postpartum period and undesirable maternal outcomes. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the maternal anthropometric profile. Fifty adult women (> 20 years old), on average 70 days postpartum, who were assisted by the Growth and Development program at basic health units in Natal-RN, took part in this study. Pre-gestational nutritional status was assessed by body mass index, according to the Institute of Medicine (2009). The current anthropometric profile of the breastfeeding women was assessed according to the BMI categories adopted by the World Health Organization (2000). Postpartum weight retention was assessed according to the difference between current weight and pre-pregnancy weight, obtained up to 129 days postpartum. Retention was categorized into two weight ranges, 4kg or 4kg. It was found that 66% of the women (n=33) were overweight even before pregnancy. When evaluating current anthropometrics, 68% (n=34) of the participants were overweight, of which 40% (n=20) were overweight and 28% (n=14) were obese. And postpartum weight retention was ≤ 4kg in 74% (n=37) of the breastfeeding women, remaining < 10% of the weight acquired during pregnancy. Thus, the importance of proper nutritional maintenance and monitoring at all stages of a woman's life in terms of weight changes and maternal outcomes is indisputable.