We know that improving maternal and infant nutrition prior to conception and up to 2 years is the... more We know that improving maternal and infant nutrition prior to conception and up to 2 years is the most fundamental and impactful way to positively affect the long term health of the population, in both the developing and developed world. Evidence demonstrates sub-optimal maternal nutrition impairs fetal growth and development and can lead to cognitive impairment and an increased risk of non-communicable disease in adult life. Improving maternal diet and nutritional status will be a significant and cost effective step in tackling both malnutrition and chronic disease globally. However, this long term goal cannot be achieved without general recognition and meaningful commitment on both a national and international level to implement long term strategies to support all women of childbearing age to make healthy diet and lifestyle choices before, during and after pregnancy.
Purpose: This paper summarises the scientific rationale supporting the need to promote healthy di... more Purpose: This paper summarises the scientific rationale supporting the need to promote healthy diet and lifestyle choices during pregnancy and describes a pilot study assessing the impact of public health messages on diet quality and lifestyle choices among a population of pregnant women. Design/methodology/approach: 18 women (ages 21-46 years) in their second trimester of pregnancy completed an online questionnaire entitled "Your Health in Pregnancy". Findings: Results found that knowledge of the roles of specific nutrients important in pregnancy-folic acid 89%, iron 72%, vitamin D 78%, calcium 100%-were higher than those gained for translating knowledge into practical 'food-based' skills, i.e., identifying food sources of the same (folic acid 61%, iron 83%, Vitamin D 67% and calcium 94%). Practical implications: Women are aware of public health messages during pregnancy but are inconsistent when translating knowledge into behaviour change. Encouraging positive changes requires a greater understanding of complexities of factors which influence dietary and health choices.
We know that improving maternal and infant nutrition prior to conception and up to 2 years is the... more We know that improving maternal and infant nutrition prior to conception and up to 2 years is the most fundamental and impactful way to positively affect the long term health of the population, in both the developing and developed world. Evidence demonstrates sub-optimal maternal nutrition impairs fetal growth and development and can lead to cognitive impairment and an increased risk of non-communicable disease in adult life. Improving maternal diet and nutritional status will be a significant and cost effective step in tackling both malnutrition and chronic disease globally. However, this long term goal cannot be achieved without general recognition and meaningful commitment on both a national and international level to implement long term strategies to support all women of childbearing age to make healthy diet and lifestyle choices before, during and after pregnancy.
Purpose: This paper summarises the scientific rationale supporting the need to promote healthy di... more Purpose: This paper summarises the scientific rationale supporting the need to promote healthy diet and lifestyle choices during pregnancy and describes a pilot study assessing the impact of public health messages on diet quality and lifestyle choices among a population of pregnant women. Design/methodology/approach: 18 women (ages 21-46 years) in their second trimester of pregnancy completed an online questionnaire entitled "Your Health in Pregnancy". Findings: Results found that knowledge of the roles of specific nutrients important in pregnancy-folic acid 89%, iron 72%, vitamin D 78%, calcium 100%-were higher than those gained for translating knowledge into practical 'food-based' skills, i.e., identifying food sources of the same (folic acid 61%, iron 83%, Vitamin D 67% and calcium 94%). Practical implications: Women are aware of public health messages during pregnancy but are inconsistent when translating knowledge into behaviour change. Encouraging positive changes requires a greater understanding of complexities of factors which influence dietary and health choices.
Uploads
Papers by c salisbury