An intervention aimed at maintaining an acceptable energy balance during pregnancy

Background

For women, maintaining energy balance during pregnancy is often a challenge. Pregnancy has been shown repeatedly to be an important risk factor for becoming overweight or obese. Although the risk for developing overweight due to pregnancy has been recognised, data on prevention of excessive weight gain during pregnancy and after delivery is completely lacking. Many pregnant women reduce their levels of physical activity drastically. It is likely that a too drastic reduction in physical activity during pregnancy is an important factor in upsetting energy balance. Energy balance may also be disturbed by misguided conceptions on dietary needs during pregnancy (i.e. 'eating for two'). Preventive measures of inappropriate weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention may therefore consist of stimulating women to be more physically active during pregnancy and of giving information on the dietary needs during pregnancy.