REPORT 1 Preconception, Pregnancy and Healthy Weight in Childhood - How the food system can better protect future and expectant

4 PRECONCEPTION, PREGNANCY AND HEALTHY WEIGHT IN CHILDHOOD Introduction T he health of a child is to the development of overweight from parents and from expectant intrinsically linked to the health and obesity in the child, and shares parents as well as from professionals of their parents. [...] Research Associate at King's College, London 7 PRECONCEPTION, PREGNANCY AND HEALTHY WEIGHT IN CHILDHOOD Preconception, pregnancy and the development of childhood obesity The influence of maternal diet, BMI and weight gain, before and during pregnancy, on birth weight and the development of childhood obesity – what the research tells us. [...] A recent study assessing preferences as the flavour of foods and drinks she consumes diet quality in pregnant women living with obesity reported passes into the amniotic fluid, which can affect the child’s that intakes of sugar and saturated fatty acids were higher future acceptance and enjoyment of foods, in turn affecting than the recommended amount, and fibre, alongside the variety and nutritio. [...] 14 PRECONCEPTION, PREGNANCY AND HEALTHY WEIGHT IN CHILDHOOD Policy recommendations: what needs to happen? T he nutritional status and weight specific to supporting the intake of a 2021 report The Best Start for Life: The of a woman entering pregnancy nutritious diet during the preconception Early Years Healthy Development Review can greatly affect the future and pregnancy phases are lacking, Repor. [...] While the in England, Wales and Northern for under 18 years of age and after Government did increase the value Ireland for low-income pregnant that eligibility is set at a household of Healthy Start from £3.10 to £4.25 women and families with children income of £408 per month or less, in April 2021, the value of payments under the age of four.83 For pregnant excluding benefits.