Energy Intake, Physical Activity and Gestational Weight Gain of Pregnant Women at Rongo Sub-District Hospital

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Women in poor rural communities often engage in heavy physical activity yet consume diets that are deficient in energy. Pregnant women in these communities do not often show an augmentation in kilocalorie intake yet they continue with heavy work. Strenuous work may alter a pregnant woman’s nutritional status, therefore increasing her risk of morbidity, mortality and low gestational weight gain; a key risk factor for low birth weight. The study investigated energy intake and levels of physical activity, and their influence on gestational weight gain among women at Rongo Sub-District Hospital in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine energy intake, physical activity energy expenditure, weight gain, and teste for significant relationships. The study adopted a longitudinal design and comprehensive sampling was used to select a sample of 100 pregnant women. Data was collected by use of structured questionnaires, observation, 24-hour recall and food weighing techniques and analysis was done by use of SPSS and Nutri-survey. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient was used to test for significant relationships and t-test for significant difference between mean of nutrients. Energy intake was found to be 1436.42 ± 421 Kcal/ day while energy expenditure averaged 1780 ± 500 kcal/day. Mean weight gain was 245.9±201 std g/week. The women spent 14 hours on activity and dedicated most of their time daily on domestic work and least on economic activities. The study found a significant relationship between energy intake and weight gain but found none between energy expenditure and weight gain (P≤ 0.05). The pregnant women consumed fewer calories than the recommended levels; further investigation is required to isolate the effect of physical activity on gestational weight gain. The study findings help fill the knowledge gap in this field, benefit future research work, the community and pregnant women. The government and NGOs need to monitor gestational weight gain more closely in order to provide counselling and nutritional support to pregnant women.