Seasonal variations in birthweight distribution in Ikwiriri village, Tanzania

This study shows that consistent seasonal variations in mean birthweight and incidence of low birthweight occur in a rural society mainly dependent on agriculture. These variations depend on the combination of food intake and labour output of women, which is reflected in mean maternal weight gain in the last trimester of pregnancy. Fluctuations of mean maternal weight were found to correspond closely to variations of mean birthweight. The relatively high birthweight in periods of food shortage without field labour suggest that heavy female labour has a decisive effect on birthweight under conditions of inadequate food intake. Fig., ref., tab.