How much more calories do pregnant women need?

So many extra calories women need during pregnancy

03/03/2014

During pregnancy, many expectant mothers tend to consume more calories than they actually need. This not only has consequences for the pregnant women, but also for their unborn children. The evaluation of the data from the so-called PEPO study (PEPO: Perinatal Prevention of Childhood Obesity) has shown that „By an inappropriately high weight gain in the pregnancy also the risk for later overweight and obesity in the children“ increased, reports the research team around Regina Ensenauer from the University of Munich in a recent press release.

The under the „Competence Network Obesity“ PEPO study has shown that „the proportion of women with excessive weight gain during pregnancy is steadily increasing“, explained Dr. Ensenauer. The scientists evaluated the data of 6,837 children and their mothers to determine possible associations between maternal weight gain during pregnancy and the subsequent obesity risk of the children. According to Ensenauer and colleagues, the analysis of the data from the maternity record and the pediatric examinations showed that the children were more overweight when their mothers were gaining weight during pregnancy between the ages of five and six years.

More than half of women overweight pregnant women
The data analysis showed, „More than half of all mothers (53.6 percent) exceeded the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations on upper limits for adequate weight gain during pregnancy“, so the message of „Competence Network Obesity“. At the school entrance examination, the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference of the children were then recorded at the age of five to six years, and it turned out that „Of the school-entry children whose mothers had gained too much weight during pregnancy, were nearly thirteen percent overweight, and over seventeen percent had an increased waist circumference.“ The study leader Dr. According to Regina Ensenauer it is „obvious, that in the sense of fetal programmingIncreased supply of maternal nutrients may lead to mismatch of the fetus with an imprint for increased risk of obesity.“

250 extra kilocalories from the second trimester of pregnancy
The experts therefore recommend a moderate weight gain during pregnancy to ensure optimal development of the unborn child. It lies the „More energy needed from the second trimester until the end at only 250 kilocalories per day.“ With an additional 200 grams of yoghurt or a medium-sized apple this is already covered. By regularly controlling the weight gain in the individual pregnancy thirds can counterbalanced in case of doubt in a timely manner and so a reduction in the risk of obesity for the children can be achieved. A healthy and balanced diet is of particular importance during pregnancy, experts say. she should „Rich in vitamins, trace elements, protein and complex carbohydrates“ be, reports that „Competence Network Obesity“. Nutritionist and paediatrician Regina Ensenauer added that diet should not be maintained during pregnancy if the child is overweight. However, a normalization of weight gain in terms of minimizing the risk of obesity in children is quite appropriate.

Monitoring of weight gain allows prevention
According to the researchers, the analysis of the data has shown that excessive weight gain can often be predicted as early as the second trimester of pregnancy and therefore corresponding preventive measures „between the third and the sixth month of pregnancy, in order to prevent negative effects on the child's weight.“ If the mother succeeds in avoiding further excessive weight gain in the last three months before the birth, the risk of being overweight by the child could be increased, according to Drs. Significantly reduce Regina Ensenauer. (Fp)

Picture: Ronny Senst