MyPyramid : for pregnancy

Reprinted 8/06/5M

MyPyramid : for pregnancy

"FNEP.""Family Nutrition Education Programs : Nutrition and life skills for Missouri families."New 8/06/350

Online Prenatal Nutrition Education: Helping Pregnant Women Eat Healthfully Using MyPyramid.gov

The web-based MyPyramid developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a nutrition education program. Care providers can use the MyPyramid to enhance nutrition information delivery and foster healthy eating behaviors in their patients. Three interactive tools are available in the MyPyramid for pregnant women, including the “MyPyramid plan for Moms,” the “MyPyramid Menu Planner for Moms,” and the “MyPyramid Tracker.” These tools help pregnant women learn about nutritional needs for pregnancy, menu planning, and dietary monitoring

The effects of energy restriction and exercise on body composition and bone mineral density in overweight lactating women

Lactation is a time of rapid bone loss due to hyperprolactinemia, amenorrhea, and increased bone turnover, especially in the lumbar spine and hip. Childbearing may be one of the causes for the high prevalence (59%) of overweight and obesity among women. Exercise, combined with a modest restriction in energy intake, has been shown in non-lactating women to improve body composition and protect bone during periods of weight loss. However, there is a paucity of research on exercise and dietary interventions in lactating women aimed at promotion of bone health and weight loss. Therefore, the primary objectives of the two studies in this dissertation were: 1) to describe the changes in dietary intake, bone turnover markers, and hormones related to lactation and exercise, as well as predict changes in bone mineral density (BMD) during lactation in women whom had undertaken resistance exercise, and 2) to promote lifestyle changes through a home-based nutrition and exercise intervention targeting overweight lactating postpartum women. The first study concluded exercise and a higher dietary calcium intake were inversely related to bone loss during lactation, when controlling for parity. Additionally, an increase in bone formation markers predicted an increase of lumbar spine BMD, whereas increased levels of estradiol and IGF-1 were positively related to total body BMD. The second study results suggest moderate energy restriction and resistance training are safe methods for weight loss in overweight fully breastfeeding women with no adverse affects on BMD and infant growth. Additionally, the use of MyPyramid Menu Planner appeared to be a novel tool to aid in weekly individual dietary counseling and weight loss. This dissertation research was the first to examine the effects of an exercise and weight loss intervention on attenuation of lactation-induced bone loss in overweight women. The results suggest moderate energy restriction, walking, and resistance training are safe methods for weight loss in overweight fully breastfeeding women with no adverse affects on BMD and infant growth

Glycemic Index and Pregnancy: A Systematic Literature Review

Background/Aim. Dietary glycemic index (GI) has received considerable research interest over the past 25 years although its application to pregnancy outcomes is more recent. This paper critically evaluates the current evidence regarding the effect of dietary GI on maternal and fetal nutrition. Methods. A systematic literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science, from 1980 through September 2010, was conducted. Results. Eight studies were included in the systematic review. Two interventional studies suggest that a low-GI diet can reduce the risk of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants in healthy pregnancies, but one epidemiological study reported an increase in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. Evidence in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), though limited (n = 3), consistently supports the advantages of a low-GI diet. Conclusion. There is insufficient evidence to recommend a low-GI diet during normal pregnancy. In pregnancy complicated by GDM, a low-GI diet may reduce the need for insulin without adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes. Until larger-scale intervention trials are completed, a low-GI diet should not replace the current recommended pregnancy diets from government and health agencies. Further research regarding the optimal time to start a low-GI diet for maximum protection against adverse pregnancy outcomes is warranted

Analyzing the Key Functions of Peer Support in Postpartum Weight Management Interventions: A Review of the Literature

Overview: Currently in the United States, nearly two-thirds of women are entering pregnancy either overweight or obese. Additionally, many of these women gain more than the recommend amount of weight during pregnancy and often retain excess weight after delivery. Systematic reviews have been conducted in the past on the effectiveness of various behavioral interventions to manage weight postpartum. These reviews have had inconclusive results, so this review was conducted for the purpose of identifying the key functions of peer support in postpartum weight loss interventions. The rationale for exploring peer support is that this framework has been effective in achieving desirable health outcomes in diabetes prevention and management programs. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to analyze postpartum weight loss studies that used behavioral interventions including diet, physical activity, group education, or counseling. Only studies published after 2009 were included as this is the year the Institute of Medicine changed its gestational weight gain guidelines. CINAHL and PUBMED were searched with fifteen studies meeting inclusion criteria. Studies were evaluated for baseline characteristics and general outcomes and more specifically analyzed for the key functions of peer support. Results: The fifteen studies reviewed varied greatly in their use of peer support and in the four key functions of peer support: assistance in daily management of weight loss postpartum, social and emotional support for behavior change, connection to clinical care, and long-term support. No study explicitly relied on traditional peer supporters, or postpartum women from the same community, to facilitate weight loss postpartum. Discussion: Although peer support has shown efficacy in diabetes prevention and management, this framework has not been utilized for postpartum weight interventions. There a many opportunities for the maternal and child health workforce to leverage peer support in policy development, practice improvements, and research.Master of Science in Public Healt

The effects of consuming a Mediterranean style diet on associated COVID-19 severity biomarkers in obese/overweight adults: A systematic review

Background: COVID-19 severity is strongly associated with high Body Mass Index (BMI) (≥25kg/m2) amongst adults and elevated inflammatory markers have enabled prediction of disease progression. The composition of a Mediterranean diet provides favourable outcomes on weight reduction and inflammatory markers. Aim: This systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of consuming a Mediterranean diet on BMI and inflammatory markers of obese/overweight adults (≥18 years) at risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: PubMed Central, Cochrane Library and MEDLINE databases were searched to identify randomised controlled trials published between January 2010 to August 2021 evaluating the impact of Mediterranean diet on BMI and inflammatory markers in overweight/obese adults. The review followed the PRISMA checklist, used Cochrane Collaboration search strategies, and is PROSPERO registered (CRD42021277070). Two authors independently screened and evaluated studies for methodological quality. Papers were extracted and included based eligibility, despite risk of bias scores. Results: Of 65 extracted records, six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included. Reductions in BMI, TNF-α, IL-6 and hs-CRP were reported amongst most findings, the majority of which were significant. Conclusion: The main findings indicate a hypocaloric, fibre dense Mediterranean diet is a short-term (<4 months) mitigation strategy to significantly reduce BMI and inflammatory markers amongst overweight/obese adults at risk of developing severe COVID-19 outcomes. Further research is now needed to examine the role of Mediterranean diet in COVID-19 prevalence, severity, morbidity and mortality

Guidelines for the Identification and Management of Lead Exposure in Pregnant and Lactating Women

These guidelines set a standard for a number of related issues, including:Environmental HealthPREVENTION AND CONTROLCURREN