A Poor Diet In Pregnancy Can Lead To Childhood Obesity, According To A Study
Being overweight is one of the main health problems in developed countries. This condition increases the risk of suffering from other chronic and complex pathologies, such as diabetes, or those of a cardiovascular nature. What many people do not know is that a poor diet in pregnancy can lead to childhood obesity.
During the gestation stage it is essential to ensure that the fetus receives all the nutrients it needs, but in the right amounts. Including a large amount of additives, toxic compounds or unhealthy elements in the woman’s diet can negatively affect the future health of the child.
Obesity before pregnancy conditions the future health of the baby
According to research published in the International Journal of Epidemiology , the fact that a woman is overweight or obese before becoming pregnant could increase the risk of the baby developing neurological problems. Even other pathologies could appear from this situation, such as allergies.
From these publications it was concluded that the state of the mother’s body composition affects the health of the fetus and the future child. But not only this matters, but nutrition in pregnancy is also an essential conditioner in order to prevent chronic problems in the baby in later stages.
A poor diet in pregnancy increases the risk of obesity in the baby
As we discussed, the foods eaten during pregnancy have a significant impact on the health and development of the fetus and baby. In this sense, it is important to ensure that the requirements of essential nutrients are met to ensure correct progression.
As evidenced by a study published in the journal Pediatric Obesity , dietary and lifestyle interventions in pregnancy are useful to reduce the risk of childhood obesity.
In this sense, it is important to guarantee the presence of vegetables in the diet. At the same time, avoiding simple sugars and trans fats is vital. These elements condition metabolic health in the mother, but also in the fetus. In this way, inefficiencies in development can occur, which can translate into a tendency to gain fat weight during the first years of life.
It must always be borne in mind that obesity responds to environmental factors, but also genetic ones. For this reason, during the first stages of cellular reproduction in the fetus, any inefficiency derived from a poor diet on the part of the mother could cause serious damage.
A balanced diet in pregnancy to reduce childhood obesity
If the diet is taken care of during pregnancy, it is much more likely that the baby will be born without complications and with an adequate state of health. In addition, the risk of metabolic alterations that lead to developing a state of overweight or obesity, which can lead to other more worrying pathologies , will also be reduced.
For this reason, it must always be guaranteed that the consumption of fresh food is prioritized over that of industrial ultra-processed foods. At the same time, we must eliminate the consumption of toxins, such as alcohol.
It is also advisable to reduce the contribution of food additives, such as artificial sweeteners or certain preservatives. The best option is to buy the products on the market and cook them at home, controlling the preparations to avoid the presence of compounds of dubious quality.
Food is of vital importance in pregnancy
As we have commented, monitoring the diet in pregnancy is vital. In this way, a correct development of the fetus is ensured so that it is born without alterations in its physiological functions.
It should be remembered that childhood obesity is a growing public health problem that conditions the appearance of complex pathologies that put life at risk. An example of them would be the cardiovascular type. In this sense, the best strategy is prevention.
You have to bet on nutritional education in the early stages of life. But it all starts with the mother’s habits, even before deciding to get pregnant. Starting from a situation of normal weight reduces risks and adjusting the diet in pregnancy as well.
