Study Shows Not All Moms-To-Be Should Eat For Two
According to a current study by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research not all pregnant women should be consuming more calories when pregnant. In fact, the study is following pregnant women who are overweight and obese as they diet during their pregnancy. So far the results from their research is positive, potentially changing the current recommendation that obese women should gain between 11 – 20 pounds during their pregnancy.
The study is hoping to show that overweight and obese moms-to-be can diet, maintain their weight (or gain very little) and give birth to healthy babies. There is concern of course for the development of the fetus and the children of these dieting mothers after birth. Babies who do not receive enough nutrition during pregnancy can suffer many defects including neurological damage. The doctors involved in this study say that overweight and obese pregnant women have plenty of nutrition stores to draw upon and that their bodies will utilize those stores to make sure the baby is kept healthy.
The study will take about three years to complete. If the results from this study are positive it could mean a change in the current thought on dieting during pregnancy. The hope is to reduce the complications related to obesity and pregnancy including: high blood pressure, diabetes, large babies, c-sections and birth injuries.
Read the summary from ABC News.
(Please consider this post as general information and not medical advice; always follow the advice of your physican.)
