Can I lose weight if I am Pregnant?

It is not only safe for obese women to diet and exercise while pregnant but it should be recommended by doctors, says a small pilot research study conducted at Saint Louis University-Med School.

“Doctors hadn’t encouraged pregnant women who were obese to limit their weight gain or have them lose weight because they were afraid it would hurt the baby,” says Raul Artal, M.D., principal investigator and chair of the department of obstetrics, gynecology and women’s health at Saint Louis University.

“We found that obese women do not have to gain any weight, and, in fact, can lose weight and it won’t hurt the baby. Pregnancy is an ideal time to start an exercise and fitness program, particularly for women who are obese.”

The study examined the effects weight loss on a population of pregnant women who were also experiencing gestational diabetes. Weight loss was not associated with increased risk to the baby, it was however associated with improving the health of the mother and lowering the risk for C-Section. Additionally the study found that women who both dieted and exercised had better outcomes than those who dieted without exercise.

Until now, the standard advise given to an obese pregnant woman with gestational diabetes was to simply adhere to a "diabetic diet". This research will encourage doctors to rethink the old advise to "eat for two" and "take it easy".

The research appears in the June issue of Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, which is published by Canada’s National Research Council.

Ref: EurekAlert