BDH HIGHLIGHTS MATERNAL NUTRITION
By: Venus F. Avecilla, GPC–BDH | Photo By: Mhark Parchamento, BDH | Date: January 28, 2021
HEALTHY FOOD, HEALTHY CHILD. Expectant mothers at the Out Patient Department of Bacnotan District Hospital listen to Volunteer Nutritionist-Dietitian Petronillo P. Gabriel, of BDH, as he discusses the importance of maternal nutrition to lactating mothers on January 28, 2021. The lecture is an initiative to inculcate the importance of good and balanced diet to every pregnant woman as well as the baby inside her womb.
Volunteer Nutritionist-Dietitian Petronilo P. Gabriel of Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) conducted a lecture on Maternal Nutrition on January 26, 2021 at the BDH Out Patient Department and emphasized to lactating and pregnant women the urgent need for optimal nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life starting from conception. He also talked about basic dietary supplement for every lactating mother saying approximately 40 different nutrients are needed to grow, develop and remain healthy. He highlighted the importance of consumption of adequate diverse diet including breast milk, plant source foods (vegetables, fruits, staples), animal source foods (dairy, eggs, fish, meat) and fortified foods.
The lecture further discussed that after ensuring nutrient requirement during mother’s pregnancy, proper nutrition for a child must be continued through exclusive breastfeeding up to six months to reduce the risk of obesity and related disorders later. Energy dense and micronutrient rich complementary foods to promote growth and development must be ensured to prevent dual burden of diseases and to avoid irreversible changes in brain growth, prevent stunting and obesity in adult life. Breastfeeding benefits babies through stronger immune systems, less diarrhea, constipation, fewer colds and respiratory illnesses, fewer ear infections, fewer case of bacterial meningitis, better vision and less retinopathy of prematurity. For mothers, it promotes faster weight loss after birth, stimulates the uterus to contract and return to normal size, less postpartum bleeding fewer urinary tract infection, less chance of anemia, less risk of postpartum depression and more positive mood.
Nutritionist Gabriel repeatedly stressed the importance on maintaining the good health of every mother and to consult with their doctors regularly.
Stunting, or short-for-age, is due to inadequate intake of nutrients and absorption compared to needs. Inadequate intake of nutrients not only affects linear growth but also development of the brain and the immune system. Due to the severe consequences of stunting developed during early life, which mainly brought about by poor nutrition, much damage may not anymore be undone in later life, thus, early prevention is essential.
