Pregnant women can improve their health and even reduce the risk of complications during childbirth by maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Research has shown that gaining too much weight during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, large babies, and delivery by Caesarean section; and newborns with large birth weights are at risk of childhood obesity.
An updated systematic review published in The Cochrane Library reveals that diet or exercise interventions, or a combination of both, can prevent excessive weight gain in pregnancy. The original version of the review published in 2012 found only inconclusive evidence, that dietary and exercise programs had beneficial effects for pregnant women and their babies.
Researchers found that around 36% of women who were allocated to interventions to help them manage their weight, had excessive weight gain over the course of their pregnancy compared with around 45% in the control groups. Interventions involving low sugar diets, exercise only, or diet and exercise combined, all led to similar reductions in the number of women gaining excessive weight.
The researchers advise that pregnant women should refer to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines on exercise in pregnancy, and that before embarking on a new exercise program that they discuss it with their midwife or doctor.
Source: www.sciencedaily.com