Pregnant women need more dietary guidance

A recent study in the journal Nutrition and Dietetics has shown that although pregnant women regard eating a nutritious and healthy diet during pregancy as important, most have poor quality diets lacking in the recommended daily serves of fruits and vegetables. Over one third of them also gained more weight than recommended (1).

The study surveyed 309 antenatal and 102 postnatal women who attended a maternity hospital in Australia. The study found:- 

• Eating well was rated as important by over 80% of women
• Most  had poor diets consuming less than half the daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables for pregnancy
• Over 1/3 entered pregnancy either overweight or obese
• Less than half knew how much weight they should gain during pregnancy
• Over 1/3 gained too much weight during pregnancy
• Most thought it important to return to their prepregnacy weight
• More than half of pregnant women were interested in antenatal nutrition education and about 40% of postnatal women interested in postnatal nutrition education
• Few had accessed a dietitian for nutrition advice during pregnancy

The study highlights the need for pregnant and post pregnant women to have more access to nutrition services. Pregnancy is a time when women have a heightened interest in nutrition and the importance of a healthy diet. Poor quality diets during pregnancy can result in unhealthy weight gain, anaemia,  miscarriage, difficult delivery and other complications for the mother. Retaining excess weight postnatally also places them at risk of chronic health conditions. Better quality diets during pregnancy also protects the infant against poor development, low birth weight and preterm birth.

Reference.

1. Wilkenson SA, Tolcher D. Nutrition and maternal health: What women want and can we provide it? Nutrition and Dietetics 2010;67(1):18-25