motherhood

A new study has highlighted another important reason to maintain a healthy weight while trying to conceive: babies born to overweight and obese moms are more likely to have heart defects.

The study, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and published in October's issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, found that:

According to new research a mother's weight, and the amount she gains during pregnancy, may have an impact on her daughter's risk of obesity decades later.

This research has important implications for the future - if women can reach a healthy weight before they begin their family, it has the potential to impact two generations. This is exciting stuff!

With the growing obesity epidemic studies like these are particularly important.

New guidelines have been issued for pregnant women who are obese (BMI 30+) stating they should only gain 11 to 20lbs during the course of their pregnancy.

The old guidelines, developed in 1990, didn't take into account the difference between "overweight" women (BMI 25-30) and "obese" women (BMI 30+). But, due to a rise in obesity levels in the past two decades, health officials guided by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council, felt that the guidelines needed updating.

A recent postcard on art blog PostSecret says: "My biggest fear is that if I have a daughter, she will inherit my eating disorder" (via Starling).

I will make no bones about this. Raising a child to maintain a healthy body weight AND a healthy attitude towards their body and towards food is tough.

It goes against the grain. It's counter-culture.

New research shows it takes just three things to lose the post-pregnancy pounds.

Gwyneth Paltrow announces that there is no dieting for her. Just good, fresh, organic foods. As for losing the post-pregnancy weight: just lots of working out.