EFFECT OF IRON–FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS: MID-UPPER ARM CIRCUMFERENCE AND BODYWEIGHT CHANGES DURING PREGNANCY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2025v18i12.56827Keywords:
iron, folic acid, mid-upper arm circumference, body weight, pregnancyAbstract
Objective: Chronic energy deficiency is a common condition among pregnant women and can adversely affect both maternal and fetal outcomes. Iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation is routinely provided in maternal health services to prevent anemia and improve nutritional status. This study aimed to investigate the effect of IFA supplementation on maternal nutritional indicators, including changes in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), bodyweight, and prenatal body mass index (BMI) among pregnant women at the Lubuk Buaya Public Health Center in Padang.
Method: A descriptive retrospective design was employed using medical records of 976 pregnant women from January to December 2024. Variables included the number of IFA tablets consumed, MUAC, bodyweight change, and prenatal BMI. Data were analyzed using the Compare Means test.
Results: Statistical analysis showed that changes in MUAC were small and not clinically significant, despite a formally significant p-value (p=0.000). This likely reflects the absence of MUAC improvement rather than a beneficial effect of supplementation. For bodyweight, the largest group (30 tablets, n=926) showed no measurable change, while smaller groups receiving higher IFA doses (≥60 tablets) showed variable weight reductions, though very small sample sizes limited interpretation. Prenatal BMI was comparable across groups with no significant differences (p=0.183). The unequal distribution of participants, particularly the small number in the 90- and 120-tablet groups, limited statistical power and generalizability.
Conclusion: Regular IFA supplementation was associated with improved MUAC, indicating benefits for maternal nutritional status, although effects on bodyweight and BMI were inconclusive due to sample imbalance and variability. Strengthening health education and encouraging adherence to antenatal visits are essential to ensure adequate supplementation and optimize maternal health outcomes.
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