They warned that dieting can lead to anaemia in a pregnant woman, while the baby stands the risk of having poor brain development.
They pointed out that weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy, adding that healthy babies begin with healthy mothers.
Speaking exclusively with our correspondent, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Dr. Joseph Akinde, said poor nutrition during pregnancy was a major public health concern in Nigeria
The former chairman of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter said, “Children of women who did not eat well or get enough nutrients during pregnancy don’t attain optimal growth or milestones.
“Dieting is a foolish thing to do. You know that the unborn baby is an obligate parasite. What do I mean by that? Whether the mother likes it or not, the baby will collect all the nutrients it requires for growth from the mother even if she starves herself.
“If a mother is not eating for one reason or the other, and is not getting enough nutrients, the baby will extract what it needs for growth, such that the woman will now be at risk.
“The woman may become anaemic. She may end up having the baby quite alright, but she might lose her life because of inadequate blood in her system. So, it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to diet.”
Akinde explained that it was difficult for women not to gain weight during pregnancy, affirming that every woman gained about 12kg during pregnancy.
He said, “Ideally, a woman should gain 12kg during pregnancy. So, there is no way a woman with a normal pregnancy will not gain weight.”
“But if a woman says she doesn’t want to gain weight while pregnant, then she should not get pregnant at all.
“She will do herself a lot of harm if she places herself on a starvation diet. If she doesn’t want to eat due to fear of weight gain, the baby will not attain the optimal growth it should attain. The life of the woman will also be at risk.
“A woman that doesn’t want to look ugly during pregnancy should not get pregnant in the first place.
“Getting pregnant is a biological function conferred on women by God. so any woman that doesn’t want to live up to that function should not get pregnant in the first instance.”
Speaking on the effect of dieting on an unborn baby, a professor of Community and Public Health Nutrition, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, told our correspondent that poor nutrition during pregnancy can lead to poor brain development in babies.
Nnam said it was wrong for pregnant women to joke with their diet, especially during the first trimester.
According to the nutritionist, poor nutrition, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy often leads to poor brain development in babies.
The nutritionist stressed that proper diet in pregnancy was crucial to ensuring optimal development of the foetus.
Nnam said studies had confirmed that a major danger of poor nutrition in pregnancy was poor brain development in babies.
She said, “Poor nutrition will cause inadequate development of the baby because nutrients are required for cells of the foetus to develop properly. Nutrients such as iron are very important in the development of cells.
“When a pregnant woman stops taking foods rich in iron, she will be deficient in iron and that will affect the foetus and make the cells not to form properly. This will lead to malformation when the baby is born.”
The expert advised pregnant women to always eat healthily.
Already, there is compelling evidence from epidemiologic studies that poor nutrition during pregnancy, in the form of insufficient intake, low protein, or deficiencies in micronutrients, is associated with poor developmental outcomes in children, including lower cognitive functioning, deficits in attention, and disruptive behaviour problems.
In a study published in Science Daily, titled, ‘Poor diet during pregnancy may have a long-term impact on child’s Health’, the authors said mothers who eat unhealthy diets during pregnancy may be putting their children at risk of developing long-term, irreversible health issues, including obesity, raised levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.
“It seems that a mother’s diet whilst pregnant and breastfeeding is very important for the long-term health of her child.
“We always say you are what you eat. It may also be true that you are what your mother ate. This does not mean that obesity and poor health is inevitable. It is important that we take care of ourselves and live a healthy lifestyle. But it does mean that mothers must eat responsibly whilst pregnant”, the authors said.
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, to maintain a healthy pregnancy, approximately 300 extra calories are needed each day.
the body noted that these calories should come from a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
it advised that sweets and fats should be kept to a minimum, adding, “A healthy, well-balanced diet can also help to reduce some pregnancy symptoms, such as nausea and constipation.”
