Siddiqui, AANigam, SAnees, SMidha, T.2023-08-092023-08-092022-12Siddiqui AA, Nigam S, Anees S, Midha T.. Effect of Prenatal Dietary Pattern on Maternal Anemia and Low Birth Weight in Rural Areas of Kanpur. Indian Journal of Community Health. 2022 Dec; 34(4): 506-5100971-75872248-9509http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/221990Background: In India, the dietary pattern of women from low socioeconomic status are almost same during pre-pregnant, pregnant and lactating periods. Additional foods are required to improve weight gain in pregnancy and birth weight of infants. Aim & Objective: To identify the impact of prenatal dietary pattern on maternal anemia and low birth weight in rural areas of Kanpur Nagar. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study conducted amongst mothers who recently delivered (RDW) in rural blocks of District Kanpur Nagar. Data was collected by interviewing study subjects using a semi-structured interview schedule after applying multistage random sampling technique. Results: Out of 102 women studied, 39.2% women had consumed >90 IFA tablets, 49.1% of mothers had practiced MMF and 47.1% of women practiced MDD during their prenatal period and 40.1% babies of current pregnancy were born as LBW. IFA consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with maternal anemia. MMF during pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW. Conclusions: In our study it was found that IFA consumption, MMF and MDD during antenatal is a key preventive measure to reduce anemia status in pregnant females and birth weight of baby during prenatal period.Newborn’s Mother (RDW)Minimum Meal Frequency (MMF)Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD)Low Birth Weight (LBW).Journal ArticleIndiaPostgraduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar PradeshProfessor, Department of Community Medicine, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar PradeshAssistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Kanpur, Uttar PradeshProfessor, Department of Community Medicine Government Medical College, Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh