The importance of a balanced diet before and during pregnancy

H. Adumitrăchioaiei

Rezumat: The diet of the pregnant woman is an essential part of the pregnancy, for a good maternal-fetal development. However, it seems that between 20% and 30% of all pregnant women worldwide have micronutrient values below the normal limits. Preconception maternal nutritional status and during pregnancy is important for a good maternalfetal development. Preconception care defines the measures taken to improve the quality of life and maternal health at least two years before pregnancy, in order to increase the percentage of children and mothers who will benefit from a good development during conception and postconception. Preconception care also integrates the measures that can be applied to the couple, so that both partners are in a better state of health at the time of conception than before the preconception care measures. At a time when pediatric obesity represents a real health issue worldwide, and the importance of the first 1000 days is well known, trying to provide a good nutritional start, beginning with the first day of the 1000 days, is a first step to reduce the prevalence of obesity cases at young ages. We consider it useful and necessary to introduce nutritional education programs, to direct attention to women of childbearing age by presenting the roles of macro- and micronutrients in healthy maternalfetal development, the importance of maintaining body weight within normal limits, and explaining the concept of nutritional programming.
Cuvinte cheie: preconceptional care, nutritional education, maternal-fetal health, pediatric obesity prevention.