Nutritional considerations across the lifespan

Pre- pregnancy health

• Vitamin D deficiency in adolescence may have resulted in rickets with pelvic malformations, making a normal delivery impossible.
• A dietary defieciency of Vitamin B12 may cause infertility.
• A history of dieting can result in poor nutritional status.
• Women who have a history of eating disorders often experience irregularities in menstrual cycles and take longer to concieve.

Body weight and weight gain

• Gestational weight is very important as it is a determinant of birth weight and extremes of weight gain can pose risks during and after pregnancy.
• One woman's weight gain may be all baby whereas another will put on weight rapidly throughout gestation.

Consequences of being underweight

• Increased risk of low birth weight due to intrauterine growth retardation.
• Low maternal blood glucose will restrict glucose supply to foetus and restrict growth.
• Increases incidence of mortality in childhood.
• A low birth weight baby.
• Reduces chance of conceiving.
• High blood pressure.
• Insulin resistance and diabetes.
• CHD

Consequences of being overweight

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Backache
• Leg pain

Consequences of being overweight continued

• Varicose veins
• Extreme tiredness
• Prolonged labour, birth injury and mortality for the baby.
• Increased risk of an emergency caesarean section
• Increased risk of post partum diseases for mother
• Renal disorders for mother and baby
• Fertility probelms

Teenage pregnancy

• Attendance at antenatal clinics may be erratic or non- existent which means dietary deficiences are not detected.
• High rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Low birth weight
• Competition for nutrients

Use of supplements during pregnancy

For:

• During lactation mothers should take vit D as human milk is low in it.
• Women planning a pregnancy should take folic acid to prevent NTDs
• If the mother is a teenager a multivitamin supplement is advised
• Supplements are useful for those who have poor appetities

Against:

• Supplements are not as useful for the body than nutrients that are taken from food.
• Foods contain natural beneficial components
• Possibility of overdosing
• High levels of vit A are teratogenic.
• Concentrated protein supplements can reduce birth weight
• Iron supplements can increase the chance of a premature birth.

• Infants have a high BMR
• The energy requirements for infants are 4 times greater than an adult
• Protein is needed for growth and repair
• It is a secondary source of energy
• Infants need particular amino acids which are provided in protein
• Carbohydrates supply 40% of their energy
• It is essential in brain and nervous system