Nutrition Status in Zabolian Women and Its Relation to the Number of Pregnancies and Socio-Economic State

SUMMARY In a cross-sectional survey, the nutritionql status [on the basis of weight(Wt), height(Ht), body mass index(BMI) and mid-arm circumferences (MAC)] of 45 I women attending the health centers in Zabol city was investigated. The results showed that 14.4% of women were underweight and 2.2% stunted. On the basis of BMI 36.4% of women had wasting and 18.8% overweight. Also, 31.8% had amid-arm circumference: under fifth the percentile. The relationships between the above anthropometric measurments and a few socioeconomic factors, as well as the fertility history, were determind. In the stepwise multiple regression analysis, the relations between Wt and number of pregnancies (P<0.001) and occupation (P<0.02) and MAC and age (P<0.001), and occupation (P < 0.04), were positive and statistically significant. The results of this study showed that the most important problem in the women is present malnutrition.