Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation

Authors: KRUGER, H - North-West University; BUTTE, NANCY - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2015
Publication Date: 11/1/2015
Citation: Kruger, H.S., Butte, N.F. 2015. Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation. World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics. 111:64-70.

Interpretive Summary: Optimal maternal health and nutrition during pregnancy reduces the risk for suboptimal fetal development. The key components of nutritional management during pregnancy include consumption of a variety of foods, appropriate weight gain, appropriate micronutrient supplementation, physical activity and avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances. This is a practical reference that will guide physicians on how to use nutrition as a tool to optimize pregnancy outcomes.

Technical Abstract: Optimal maternal health during pregnancy reduces the risk of suboptimal fetal development. Obesity prevalence is increasing among women of childbearing age in both developed and developing countries. Although teenage pregnancies remain common in some countries, generally women are getting pregnant at an older age, resulting in increased prevalence of hypertension and gestational diabetes. Weight gain within the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recommendations is associated with favorable fetal and maternal outcomes, whereas insufficient weight gain is associated with low birth-weight (LBW), and excessive gain is associated with infant macrosomia. The key components of nutritional management during pregnancy include consumption of a variety of foods, appropriate weight gain, appropriate micronutrient supplementation, physical activity and avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances.