Risk in pregnancy after dieting

A recent study done at the University of Toronto suggests that a woman's health before she conceives is very important almost as important as her health while pregnant. The research, done on sheep, has implications for humans. The focus of the study was the affect on the health of a newborn if the mother has dieted before conception. In our weight-obsessed world, many women diet excessively before conceiving knowing they will inevitably gain weight while pregnant. The U of T study focused on sheep, whose gestation period is 145 to 150 days. Researchers discovered that putting pregnant sheep on a diet before they conceived caused them to deliver up to 20 days early. Human babies born prematurely often have under-developed respiratory systems and brains. They also weigh less. All these factors may contribute to poor health both early on and later in life. Women planning to become pregnant should maintain a healthy body weight, not lose weight, both before and during their pregnancy.

Source: CTV News Net (ctv.ca).