Maternal and nutrition experts warn that pregnant women who diet to avoid weight gain can cause serious harm to themselves and their unborn babies. They explain that dieting may lead to anaemia in the mother while the baby faces the risk of poor brain development. Weight gain is inevitable during pregnancy, and healthy babies begin with healthy mothers.
In an exclusive interview, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Joseph Akinde, former chairman of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, described poor nutrition during pregnancy as a major public‑health concern in Nigeria. “Children of women who did not eat well or get enough nutrients during pregnancy don’t attain optimal growth or milestones,” he said. “Dieting is a foolish thing to do. The unborn baby is an obligate parasite—it will take all the nutrients it needs from the mother, even if she starves herself. If a mother does not eat enough, the baby will still extract what it needs, putting the woman at risk of anaemia and even death, despite the baby being born healthy. Therefore, it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to diet.”
Dr. Akinde added that it is difficult for women not to gain weight during pregnancy, noting that the average weight gain is about 12 kg. “Ideally, a woman should gain 12 kg during pregnancy, so a normal pregnancy will inevitably involve weight gain,” he explained. “If a woman does not want to gain weight, she should not become pregnant. Starvation diets harm both mother and child, jeopardising the baby’s optimal growth and the woman’s life. A woman who worries about looking ‘ugly’ during pregnancy should reconsider having a child, as pregnancy is a biological function conferred by God.”
Professor Ngozi Nnam, a specialist in Community and Public Health Nutrition at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, echoed these concerns. She emphasized that poor nutrition—especially in the first trimester—can lead to inadequate brain development in babies. “Nutrients such as iron are essential for fetal cell development. When a pregnant woman stops consuming iron‑rich foods, she becomes deficient, and the fetus’s cells may not form properly, resulting in malformations at birth,” she warned. The professor stressed that a proper diet throughout pregnancy is crucial for optimal fetal development.
Epidemiologic studies support these statements, showing that insufficient intake, low protein, or micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy are linked to poorer developmental outcomes in children, including lower cognitive functioning, attention deficits, and disruptive behaviour. A Science Daily article titled “Poor diet during pregnancy may have a long‑term impact on child’s health” reported that unhealthy maternal diets increase the risk of long‑term, irreversible health issues in children, such as obesity, elevated cholesterol, and high blood sugar. The authors concluded that a mother’s diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding is vital for the child’s long‑term health, noting, “You are what you eat, and you may also be what your mother ate.” While this does not make poor health inevitable, it underscores the importance of responsible eating during pregnancy.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that pregnant women consume approximately 300 extra calories per day, sourced from a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Sweets and fats should be limited. A well‑balanced diet can also alleviate common pregnancy symptoms such as nausea and constipation.
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