Abstract

PIP: A study was conducted into the nutritional status and dietary intake of 100 lactating Yoruba mothers in Nigeria. The group included 75 rural and 25 urban women, all from lower socioeconomic groups. All the mothers had given birth to singleton babies and fully breast fed their infants. Energy inadequacy ranged between 82-83% while protein inadequacy varied from 78-91%. Urban women were lower in both categories. Compared to the recommended allowance, the mean daily intake of iron, thiamin and calcium was found to be adequate and the intake of vitamin A was high. Mean energy, protein, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid intakes were inadequate. Results generally agree with those from other developing countries. The mothers were generally healthy and the weights of their infants were found to be satisfactory. Most of the mothers were maintaining a satisfactory lactation performance. The contribution of supplemental food for the infants was judged insignificant.