ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to determine and compare the body composition (BC), dietary intake (D1)and total energy expenditure (TEE)of exclusive (Ex)and nonexclusive (NEx) breastfeeding mothers (BFMs) in Imo State. 250 Ex and 250 NEx. BFMs were randomly selected from one Local Government Area each of the three political zones of Imo State, Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu Zones. Their DI was determined by the use of Food Record diary, 24-recall and Chemical analysis of duplicate food samples. TEE was determined by factorial method. BC was determined by Anthropometry and skin-fold thickness (SFT) measurements. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS packages for all descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. The student t-test was used to determine the differences in the parameters measured at 95% confidence level. The Pearson's Correlation was used to determine the relationship between the parameters. The mean nutrient intakes (NT) of the BFMs. were compared with FAOIWHOJUNTJ,(2001) Reference Dietary Intake (RD1). Result showed that the mean value for weight, height, mid arm circumference, waist and hip measurement were 67.95,(SD 2.71, range 60.00-72. 85)kg vs72.05,(SD 3 .02,range 61.34-80.23)kg; 161.73,(SD 5.48,range 150.32-173.5 1)cm vs163.57,(SD 5.57,range 154-180)cm; 30.37,(SD1.37,range 26.70-33 .85)cm vs 32.3 1(SD2.03,range27.05-38.00)cm; 85 .96,(SD 6.91,range78.30- 94. 85)cm vs 88.21,(SD4.53, range80.33-100,04)cm; 105.04,(SD6. 84,range 99.00- 118.8 1)cm vs106.46(SD8.0 1,range89.44-134)cm for Ex and NEx.(BFMs.) respectively. Percentage body fat (%BF) values were derived from four SFT measurements using Mohr,(1969)formula. Mean %Body fat was 21.83,(SD 0.91)% vs 27.20,(SD 2.03)% for the Ex and NEx BFMs respectively. Mean total body fat (TBF) was 14.83,(SD 1.06)kg vs 19.62,(SD 4.22)kg for Ex and NEx BFM respectively. Lean Body Mass(LBM) was 53. 12,(SD I .94)kg vs 52.47,(SD 1.90)kg. for Ex and NEx BFMs respectively. Lean Body Full Index (LBFI) was 8.00,(SD 0.80)kg vs 8.38,(SD 0.80)kg for Ex and NEx BFMs respectively. Body Mass Index (BMII), Total Body Water (TBW) and Body Surface Area (BSA) were 26.05,(SD1.83)kg./m2vs 40.30,(SD 2.12)kglm2; 31.07,(SD1.03) vs 32.30,(SD 1.01) and 1.76,(SD 0.05)m2vs 1 .83,(SD 0.50)ni2for Ex and NEx BFMs respectively. The study also showed that the Ex and NEx BFMs met 97.69% vs 99.48% of the FAO/WHO/UNU,(2001) energy intake RDI respectively. They met 86.58% vs 81.72% of the FAO/WHOIUNU,(2001) RDI for protein intake; 20.02% vs 20.10% of the RDI for Calcium intake; 43.16% vs 42.21% of the RDI for phosphorus intake;.35.00% vs 34.47% of the RDI for iron intake; 20.07% vs 12.22% of the RDI for Vitamin A intake; 154.13% vs 86.308% of the RDI for Vitamin C intake; 127.68% vs 58.91°,' of the RDI for Niacin intake respectively. The mean TEE of the Ex and NEx BFMs was 2542.00,(SD 448.85)Kcal/d and 2606.35,(SD 459.67)Kcal/d respectively. The findings revealed that, generally, the BC values of the NEx BFMs were significantly higher (p>O.05) than those of the Ex.BFM which could be attributed to the fact that greater percentage of NEx.BFMs had positive energy balance than Ex.BFMs and BF, especially Ex.BF, mobilizes body fat that could cause some killer diseases, including breast and ovarian cancer. It was then recommended that the general public be enlightened on the benefits of Ex.BF to enable BFMs exclusively breastfeed their babies successfully.