Food Scarcity Can Lead to Obesity?
Credit: We Love Costa Rica
Although it sounds contradictory, living in a “food-insecure” household may actually increase the odds of pregnancy complications, specifically greater weight gain and gestational diabetes. Women in food-scarce environments are also more likely to be obese before conceiving, setting their pregnancies up for more difficulties from the get-go.
It’s especially important during pregnancy to make nutrition a priority, and this study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that it’s especially difficult for women of lower socioeconomic status to always make the best decisions when it comes to nutrition . The authors of the study recommend further public health outreach to ensure that every pregnant woman has access to nutritious foods. We think it should be a right!
—Erin