A recent study has highlighted the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet during pregnancy for women with obesity.
In Europe, 22% of pregnant women suffer from obesity. Beyond the risks that this poses to the expectant mother, the complications for the baby are also very real. A recent study from King's College London, supported by the British Heart Foundation and the Tommy's charity, found that obese pregnant women would need to make lifestyle changes in order to ensure good future health for their unborn child.
Cardiovascular health results
In this randomized controlled trial UPBEAT, the researchers looked at two groups of English participants. The former benefited from diet and exercise management, while the latter did not change her lifestyle throughout the pregnancy.
Three years later, the team of researchers performed follow-up examinations for childbirth. Babies whose mothers changed their diet and exercised had lower resting heart rates, compared to those whose mothers had not changed their lifestyle.
What's more, the study also found that women who received an intervention maintained a healthy diet, even three years later. "These results are very interesting as they confirm that pregnancy is an opportunity to promote positive changes in health and lifestyle that benefit mother and child", said lead study author Kathryn Dalrymple.
The researchers aim to re-examine these children between eight and ten to determine if this improvement in cardiovascular health is sustained over time.