Before the beginning: nutrition and lifestyle in the preconception period and its importance for future health
Stephenson J, Heslehurst N, Jennifer Hall J, Schoenaker DAJM, Hutchinson J, Cade JE, Poston L, Barrett G, Crozier SR, Barker M, Kumaran K, Yajnik CS, Baird J, Mishra GD (2018) Lancet 2018 April doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30311-8
Web URL: View this and related abstracts via PubMed here. Free full text of this paper is available online
Abstract:
A woman who is healthy at the time of conception is more likely to have a successful pregnancy and a healthy child.We reviewed published evidence and present new data from low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries on the timing and importance of preconception health for subsequent maternal and child health.
We describe the extent to which pregnancy is planned, and whether planning is linked to preconception health behaviours.
Observational studies show strong links between health before pregnancy and maternal and child health outcomes, with consequences that can extend across generations, but awareness of these links is not widespread.
Poor nutrition and obesity are rife among women of reproductive age, and differences between high-income and low-income countries have become less distinct, with typical diets falling far short of nutritional recommendations in both settings and especially among adolescents.
Several studies show that micronutrient supplementation starting in pregnancy can correct important maternal nutrient deficiencies, but effects on child health outcomes are disappointing. Other interventions to improve diet during pregnancy have had little effect on maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Comparatively few interventions have been made for preconception diet and lifestyle. Improvements in the measurement of pregnancy planning have quantified the degree of pregnancy planning and suggest that it is more common than previously recognised.
Planning for pregnancy is associated with a mixed pattern of health behaviours before conception. We propose novel definitions of the preconception period relating to embryo development and actions at individual or population level. A sharper focus on intervention before conception is needed to improve maternal and child health and reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
Alongside continued efforts to reduce smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity in the population, we call for heightened awareness of preconception health, particularly regarding diet and nutrition.
Importantly, health professionals should be alerted to ways of identifying women who are planning a pregnancy.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
This is one in a series of articles in the Lancet focusing on pre-pregnancy health, and its fundamental importance for child health outcomes.Most people have at least some awareness of the importance of maternal nutrition during pregnacy for the health of the unborn child.
However, far fewer are aware that even before conception takes place, the nutritional status of not only the mother, but also the father, can have lifelong consequences for the health and development of the resulting children.
As the authors emphasise, the evidence shows that far more effective action is needed by governments and public health authorities to reduce the prevalence of unhealthy diets and lifestyles in people of childbearing age.
See the associated news article:
and these related articles:
See also the related research articles:
And for more information on how lifetime health and wellbeing can be affected by nutritional influences operating both before conception and throughout pregnancy, please see the following lists of articles, which are frequently updated:
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2026 © All Rights Reserved.