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Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Health across the Preconception Stages

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2023) | Viewed by 13369

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nicola Heslehurst

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Guest Editor

Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK
Interests: obesity; pregnancy; preconception; health inequalities; food insecurity

Dr. Laura McGowan

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Guest Editor

Centre for Public Health, (Institute for Global Food Security), School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Royal Victoria Hospital Site, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK
Interests: behaviour change; obesity; preconception; pregnancy; nutrition; weight management; behavioural interventions

Dr. Danielle Schoenaker

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Guest Editor

School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
Interests: preconception health; life-course epidemiology; nutritional epidemiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is growing evidence that maternal and paternal nutrition, as well as health-related behaviours (such as physical activity, alcohol, and smoking) and health determinants (such as health literacy and financial security) in the preconception stages can considerably impact pregnancy success, as well as the health of reproduction-aged adults and future generations. The preconception stages are part of a life-course time frame that starts in childhood and adolescence and extends through to adulthood. While the focus of much preconception research to date has been on women, research should take an inclusive approach by considering people of all genders and in various stages of intention for pregnancy and parenthood—for example, those with no immediate intention but who are biologically able to conceive a pregnancy, those who intend to conceive a pregnancy, and those who have had a previous pregnancy and intend to conceive another in the future (e.g., postnatal and inter-pregnancy).

The objective of this Special Issue on “Maternal and paternal nutrition and health across the preconception stages” is to explore the preconception period, as it presents multiple intervention opportunities to infer health benefits for both adults and their future children. We must develop a greater understanding of health behaviours, biological mechanisms, wider determinants of health, and public perceptions and attitudes to health in the preconception stages during these key life-course stages. We welcome all types of research, including qualitative, observational, interventional and basic science, as well as primary research and research reviews (e.g., systematic reviews with meta-analyses, qualitative systematic reviews with meta-synthesis and scoping reviews).

Dr. Nicola Heslehurst
Dr. Laura McGowan
Dr. Danielle Schoenaker
Guest Editors

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Keywords

nutrition
health behaviours
preconception
postnatal
intrapartum
inter-pregnancy
inter-conception
periconception
maternal
paternal

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 2430 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Low Vitamin C Intake on Fertility Parameters and Pregnancy Outcomes in Guinea Pigs

by Sharna J. Coker, Rebecca M. Dyson, Carlos C. Smith-Díaz, Margreet C. M. Vissers and Mary J. Berry

Nutrients 2023, 15(19), 4107; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194107 - 22 Sep 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3164

Abstract

Identifying how specific nutrients can impact fertility, pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes will yield important insights into the biological mechanisms linking diet and reproductive health. Our study investigates how dietary vitamin C intake affects various fertility parameters and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in the guinea pig, a natural model of vitamin C dependency. Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were fed an optimal (900 mg/kg feed) or low (100 mg/kg feed) vitamin C diet ad libitum for at least three weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. We found that animals receiving the low vitamin C diet had an increased number of unsuccessful matings, a higher incidence of foetal reabsorption, and, among pregnancies resulting in delivery at term, produced fewer offspring. Neonates from mothers on the low vitamin C diet had significantly decreased plasma vitamin C concentrations at birth and exhibited mild growth impairments in a sex-dependent manner. We conclude that a diet low of vitamin C induces a state of subfertility, reduces overall fecundity, and adversely impacts both pregnancy outcomes and growth in the offspring. Our study provides an essential foundation for future investigations to determine whether these findings translate to humans. If so, they could have important clinical implications for assisted reproductive technologies and nutritional recommendations for couples trying to conceive, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Health across the Preconception Stages)

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19 pages, 1800 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring Health Behaviours, Attitudes and Beliefs of Women and Men during the Preconception and Interconception Periods: A Cross-Sectional Study of Adults on the Island of Ireland

by Emma H. Cassinelli, Abby McClure, Ben Cairns, Sally Griffin, Janette Walton, Michelle C. McKinley, Jayne V. Woodside and Laura McGowan

Nutrients 2023, 15(17), 3832; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173832 - 1 Sep 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2170

Abstract

Preconception health is increasingly seen as a key target for improving population health in the UK and Ireland, yet little is known about the attitudes and beliefs of adults regarding preconception care strategies. This online cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the health behaviours, attitudes and beliefs of adults of reproductive age in regard to preconception health and care. The survey was developed by reviewing the previous literature and engaging with those from the target group. It is one of the first surveys to assess the attitudes and beliefs of adults of reproductive age across the Island of Ireland regarding preconception health and care. Results from 386 individuals with a mean age of 29.9 ± 10.3 years were included. A variety of health behaviours, attitudes and beliefs were investigated, with differences being identified between women and men and between participants with or without children (i.e., in the preconception or interconception stage). The majority of respondents held beliefs that preconception care was important, but there was greater emphasis on women than men in terms of the need to engage in health-promoting preconception health behaviours. This study highlights the need to improve preconception health awareness in women and men in the preconception and interconception stage. Findings indicate that efforts to improve preparation for pregnancy among adults of childbearing age are needed, to ensure optimal engagement in preconception health behaviours, with efforts being tailored based on sex and parental status. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Health across the Preconception Stages)

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13 pages, 980 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Maternal Obesity and Patterns in Postnatal Diet, Physical Activity and Weight among a Highly Deprived Population in the UK: The GLOWING Pilot Trial

by Nicola Heslehurst, Emer Cullen, Angela C. Flynn, Chloe Briggs, Lewis Smart, Judith Rankin, Elaine McColl, Falko F. Sniehotta and Catherine McParlin

Nutrients 2023, 15(17), 3805; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173805 - 30 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2288

Abstract

Preconception obesity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and deprivation. The postnatal period provides an opportunity for preconception intervention. There is a lack of published postnatal behaviour and weight data to inform intervention needs. Secondary analysis of the GLOWING study explored postnatal diet, physical activity (PA) and weight among women living with obesity in deprivation. Thirty-nine women completed food frequency and PA questionnaires and provided weight measurement(s) between 3–12 months postnatal. Women’s diet and PA fell short of national guidelines, especially for fruit/vegetables (median 1.6–2.0 portions/day) and oily fish (0–4 g/day). PA was predominantly light intensity. Patterns in weight change across time points indicated postnatal weight loss compared with 1st (median −0.8 to −2.3 kg) and 3rd-trimester weights (−9.0 to −11.6 kg). Weight loss was higher among women without excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) (−2.7 to −9.7 kg) than those with excessive GWG (2.3 to −1.8 kg), resulting in postnatal weight measurements lower than their 1st trimester. These pilot data suggest preconception interventions should commence in pregnancy with a focus on GWG, and postnatal women need early support to achieve guideline-recommendations for diet and PA. Further research in a larger population could inform preconception intervention strategies to tackle inequalities in maternal obesity and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Health across the Preconception Stages)

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15 pages, 1754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mental Health during the Interpregnancy Period and the Association with Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index and Body Composition: Data from the INTER-ACT Randomized Controlled Trial

by Hanne Van Uytsel, Lieveke Ameye, Roland Devlieger, Yves Jacquemyn, Caroline Van Holsbeke, Annick Schreurs and Annick Bogaerts

Nutrients 2023, 15(14), 3152; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143152 - 14 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2590

Abstract

Mental health problems and obesity are two common complications during pregnancy and postpartum. The preconception period is considered an appropriate period for prevention. Therefore, insights into interpregnancy mental health and the impact on weight and body composition are of interest to developing effective weight management strategies. The primary aim of this study is to assess the difference in women’s mental health during the interpregnancy period and the association with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and body composition. The secondary aim is to study whether this association is affected by socio-demographic factors, interpregnancy interval and sleep. The study is a secondary analysis of the INTER-ACT e-health-supported lifestyle trial. Women were eligible if they had a subsequent pregnancy and mental health measurements at 6 weeks after childbirth and at the start of the next pregnancy (n = 276). We used univariate analyses to assess differences in mental health and performed regression analysis to assess their association with pre-pregnancy BMI and body composition at the start of the next pregnancy. Our results show a statistically significant increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms between 6 weeks after childbirth and the start of the next pregnancy (sSTAI-6 ≥ 40: +13%, p =≤ 0.001; GMDS ≥ 13: +9%, p = 0.01). Of the women who were not anxious at 6 weeks after childbirth (sSTAI < 40), more than one-third (39%) developed anxiety at the start of the next pregnancy (p =≤ 0.001). Regression analysis showed that sense of coherence (SOC-13) at the start of the next pregnancy was independently associated with women’s pre-pregnancy BMI and fat percentage. We believe that the development of preconception lifestyle interventions that focus on both weight reduction and support in understanding, managing and giving meaning to stressful events (sense of coherence) may be of added value in optimizing women’s preconception health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Health across the Preconception Stages)

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14 pages, 1566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nutritional Status Differs by Prescription Opioid Use among Women of Reproductive Age: NHANES 1999–2018

by Emily E. Hohman, Tammy E. Corr, Sarah Kawasaki, Jennifer S. Savage and Danielle Symons Downs

Nutrients 2023, 15(8), 1891; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15081891 - 14 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2279

Abstract

Prescription opioid use among pregnant women has increased in recent years. Prenatal exposure to opioids and poor nutrition can both negatively impact maternal–fetal outcomes. The objective of this study was to characterize the nutrition and health status of reproductive-age women taking prescription opioids, compared to women not taking opioids. Using NHANES 1999–2018 data, non-pregnant women aged 20–44 years were classified as taking a prescription opioid in the last 30 days (n = 404) or unexposed controls (n = 7234). Differences in anthropometric, cardiovascular, hematologic, and micronutrient status indicators between opioid-exposed and unexposed women were examined. Opioid-exposed women were older, had lower income and education, and were more likely to be non-Hispanic White, to smoke, and to have chronic health conditions compared to unexposed women. In unadjusted analyses, several nutrition and health markers were significantly different between opioid exposure groups. After controlling for covariates, women taking opioids had higher odds of Class II (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.3) or III obesity (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1–2.5), and lower levels of serum folate, iron, and transferrin saturation. Reproductive-age women taking prescription opioids may be at risk for poorer nutritional and cardiometabolic health. Future research is needed to explore whether nutritional status impacts maternal–fetal outcomes for women exposed to opioids during pregnancy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Health across the Preconception Stages)

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