Maternal and Paternal Nutrition and Health across the Preconception Stages

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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