Food insecurity, micronutrient deficiencies, infections and parasites, gender inequities, and heavy physical labor threaten women's nutritional status throughout life. Adolescence and the reproductive years are periods of heightened nutritional stress. Women need additional food and micronutrient intake to support adolescent growth, fetal growth during pregnancy, and milk production during lactation. Improved energy intake, a diversified diet, and increased micronutrient intake can help to improve women's health and nutrition, as well as birth outcomes.

LINKAGES' activities related to maternal nutrition included:

• development of several publications
• formative research on maternal dietary practices in India
• social marketing of a multivitamin for women of reproductive age in Bolivia
• promotion of key messages on maternal nutrition for pregnant and lactating women in LINKAGES' country programs
• advocacy at all levels, from the community to international agencies, for attention to this neglected issue

Related Publications and Materials

Frequently Asked Questions

• Breastfeeding and Maternal Nutrition View Publication

• Breastfeeding and Vitamin A View Publication

Technical Papers

• Can Marketing Of Multiple Vitamin/Mineral Supplements Reach the Poor? The Vitaldía Project, Bolivia
View Publication
• Essential Health Sector Actions to Improve Maternal Nutrition in Africa (summary) View Publication
• Essential Health Sector Actions to Improve Maternal Nutrition in Africa (full paper) View Publication
• Maternal Nutrition During Pregnancy and Lactation: Dietary Guide View publication
• Recommended Feeding and Dietary Practices to Improve Infant and Maternal Nutrition View Publication
• The Case for Promoting Multiple Vitamin/Mineral Supplements for Women of Reproductive Age in Developing Countries View Publication

Training Modules

• Women’s Nutrition throughout the Life Cycle and in the Context of HIV and AIDS View publication

PowerPoint Presentation

• Maternal Nutrition: Issues and Interventions: View Presentation with Notes

• Huffman SL, Baker J, Shumann J, Zehner ER. The Case for Promoting Multiple Vitamin/Mineral Supplements for Women of Reproductive Age in Developing Countries. Food and Nutrition Bulletin 1999;20(4)379-394.
  View Publication

• Warnick E, Dearden KA, Slater S, Butrón B, Lanata CF, Huffman SL. Social marketing improved the use of multivitamin and mineral supplements among resource-poor women in Bolivia. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2004;36(6)290-297.
  View Abstract