Breastfeeding and Other Health Issues for New Moms

Sunday, 17 Jan, 2010
New study from the Institute of Medicine recommends that obese pregnant women should gain less weight. Amount of weight gain for obese pregnant women is controversial, because some obstetricians believe that traditional advice of weight gain of up to 20 pounds can cause more health problems for these women. Dr. Raul Artal at St. Louis University Medical Center is a physician concerned about the impact of current IOM (Institute of Medicine) recommendation, which was published in 1990. He thinks this is too much. With close medical supervision, only 10 lbs of weight gain is healthier for obese pregnant women. Obese women suffer from numerous health problems before, during, and after pregnancy. Their infants are at higher risk for childhood obesity and juvenile diabetes.

I'm thinking: Wouldn't it be better to prevent our obesity epidemic (2 out of 3 pregnant women in U.S. are obese) - increase green space for all of our children - urban and suburban, get them off the electronic toys, nurture love for physical fitness, bring in improved and nutritious lunches, get rid of soda machines at schools, and improve nutrition education and fitness to all teenagers? Get everyone walking, running, cycling, skating, whatever it takes to keep people moving.

Obesity is defined as BMI (Body Mass Index calculates your risk for health problems related to being overweight) of 30 or greater. Go to Jennycraig.com for a free BMI calculation.

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