Mom’s Health Has Lifelong Consequences for Children

The British Medical Association¹ has published an extensive report explaining the extreme need and urgency for women of reproductive age to be healthy.  Childbearing is a huge responsibility, and the future health of a child is significantly influenced by the health of the mother (and to some degree the father) prior to, during, and following pregnancy.

The report is timely, as there is an epidemic of premature babies in America due to poor nutrition of mothers.  Not only do these children require high medical costs to care for, their future health is at risk.  This is a preventable problem that starts with good nutrition and health habits by any woman who could become pregnant.

The report looks at “the evidence that the diets of women of reproductive age, and those of their fetuses and young children, are significant factors in influencing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, brittle bone disease and even some forms of cancer and mental illness, later in those children’s lives.”

Change begins with the understanding that your personal actions today can have a life-long influence on the health and well being of someone you are certain to love.