Pregnancy
Pregnancy diet affects baby's bones
Pregnancy Diet Affects Baby's Bones
New research has shown that children's future bone health is improved by their mother following a good diet whilst pregnant. An award winning study presented at the National Osteoporosis Society Conference in Manchester on 29th June 2009 found that mothers with a healthy, well-balanced diet during pregnancy have children with stronger bones.
In contrast, mothers with poorer quality diets had children with smaller and less strong bones when measured 9 years after they were born.
Dr Zoe Cole, the study's author from the University of Southampton said "This is the first study to show that mothers can improve their child's bone development early on by consuming a good diet in the late stages of pregnancy." She added "We reach our peak bone mass around our mid twenties so it's vital that young people accrue strong bone before then."
Healthy or unhealthy dietary patterns
The study involved 198 pregnant women whose children were measured at birth and during infancy. The nutritional status of the mothers was recorded in early and late pregnancy where two main patterns emerged. Firstly, a healthier pattern characterised by high intakes of foods such as fruit and veg, yoghurt, wholemeal bread and breakfast cereals. Secondly, a less healthy pattern compromising high intakes of foods like chips, roast potatoes, sugar, white bread, processed meat, crisps and soft drinks.
The mothers who followed the more healthy pattern in late pregnancy had children with significantly increased bone size and density, thus with stronger bones. Children born to mothers with the healthiest diets had 11% greater bone calcium content and 8% greater whole body bone area than those born to mothers who had the poorest dietary intake.
Building for the future
"Bone mass determines bone strength and studies suggest that a lower bone mass when we are young will affect bone fragility in later life" explains Dr Cole. "An unhealthy diet during pregnancy may have huge ramifications for the unborn child's future bone health."
Even when mothers were grouped by smoking status, Vitamin D status and social class, their deficiencies in diet still impacted on their children's bones. This relationship existed even when the child's height, weight, arm circumference and birth weight were considered.
Ultimately, this study strengthens the Department of Health's recommendations for a healthy, balanced maternal diet during pregnancy demonstrating a benefit for both the child and the mother.