BackgroundThe aim of our study was to examine maternal weight gain as well as nutrient intake in pregnancy throughout each trimester compared to current recommendations in a low-risk population and its correlation to birth weight. Additionally, we have investigated the association of maternal nutrition with gestational weight gain and birth weight in an economically unrestricted population.MethodsOur analysis was carried out in a population-based prospective birth cohort in Hamburg, Germany. 200 pregnant women and 197 infants born at term were included in the analysis. Maternal body weight, weight gain throughout gestation, and birth weight, macro- and micronutrients were assessed based on a 24 h dietary recall in each trimester. Our main outcome measures were weight gain, birth weight, and self-reported dietary intake in each trimester in comparison to current recommendations.ResultsOne third of the women were characterized by an elevated pre-pregnancy BMI, 60 % did not comply with current weight gain recommendations. Particularly overweight and obese women gained more weight than recommended. In a multivariate analysis birth weight correlated significantly with maternal BMI (p = 0.020), total weight gain (p = 0.020) and gestational week (p < 0.001). Compared to guidelines mean percentage of energy derived from fat (p = 0.002) and protein (p < 0.001) was significantly higher, whereas carbohydrate (p = 0.033) intake was lower. Mean fiber intake was significantly lower (p < 0.001). Saturated fat and sugar contributed largely to energy consumption. Gestational weight gain correlated significantly with energy (p = 0.027), carbohydrates (p = 0.008), monosaccharides and saccharose (p = 0.006) intake. 98 % of the pregnant women were below the iodine recommendation, while none of the women reached the required folate, vitamin D, and iron intake.ConclusionsDuring gestation appropriate individual advice as to nutrient intake and weight gain seems to be of high priority. Pregnancy should be used as a ‘window of opportunity’ for behavioral changes.

Companies provide a suitable setting for screening for prediabetes. Long-term diabetes prevention is successfully feasible within the narrow financial frame of a legal insurance system without rise of costs.

Background: It is still common practice to rely mostly on drug treatment for preventing cardiovascular disease, although a healthy nutrition has been defined that may prevent most premature cardiovascular events. Objectives: This research raises the question of the magnitude of the effect of nutrition on cardiovascular disease independent of that of clinical risk factors, which are the targets of drug therapy. Design: The study of coronary risk factors for atherosclerosis in women compares clinical, biochemical, and lifestyle factors in 200 consecutive pre-and postmenopausal women with incident coronary heart disease (CHD) to those in 255 age-matched population-based controls. Results: Cases reported a higher intake of energy, predominantly through animal fat and protein reflected by a higher consumption of meat and sausage, while controls ate more fruit and vegetables. Multivariate analysis adjusted for clinical risk factors depicted a high intake of meat and sausage and a low consumption of fruit and vegetables as independent risk factors with an odds ratio of 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.1-5.7) and 0.7 (95% confidence interval 0.5-1.0) for each 100 g per day, respectively. These dietary factors were found to be significantly more pronounced in cases with any clinical risk factor identified in this population as compared to controls with the same risk factors. Conclusions: The CORA-study clearly indicates a major impact of dietary habits on CHD in women independent of, and additive to, that of conventional risk factors. Thus, in clinical practice, the potential of nutrition as part of a healthy lifestyle is commonly greatly underestimated in favour of drug treatment. Sponsorship: German Stifterverband für die Wissenschaft.