Maternal dietary diversity and its correlates in a semi-urban municipality of Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Maternal dietary diversity is vital for the health of both mothers and children during lactation, yet it is often compromised in low- and middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study among 251 lactating mothers in Tarakeswor Municipality, Nepal, assessed dietary diversity using a 24-hour dietary recall and the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) indicator. Overall, 68.1% of mothers achieved the minimum dietary diversity (≥5 of 10 food groups), with a mean score of 5.03 ± 1.25. In multivariable analysis, higher odds of meeting MDD were observed among mothers with secondary or higher education (aOR = 7.5; 95% CI: 3.8–15.0), employment (aOR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.4–5.8), joint or extended family structure (aOR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.9–7.0), the highest wealth quintile (aOR = 4.2; 95% CI: 1.9–9.1), food-secure households (aOR = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.3–7.9), adequate nutrition knowledge (aOR = 5.2; 95% CI: 2.7–9.8), ≥ 4 antenatal care visits (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0–3.4), and higher empowerment (aOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.9–7.8). These findings highlight substantial socioeconomic disparities in maternal dietary diversity and underscore the need for integrated, equity-focused nutrition interventions in rapidly urbanizing settings in low- and middle-income countries. These findings can inform targeted maternal nutrition programs in semi-urban municipalities of Nepal by prioritizing nutrition education, improving household food security, and integrating dietary diversity counseling into antenatal and postnatal care services.