Moderate exercise and dieting reduces risk of Cesarean section and diabetes in pregnancy
The study, published in The BMJ , is the largest research project in the world looking at lifestyle interventions in pregnancy, involving more than 50 researchers from 41 institutions. Its results were recently used by the UK Chief Medical Officers in the Department of Health's infographics on physical activity in pregnancy, which recommended at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity every week. Half of all women of childbearing age worldwide are overweight or obese, which puts both mother and offspring at risk in pregnancy and later life. Previous studies have found that diet and physical activity have an overall benefit on limiting weight gain during pregnancy, but findings have varied for their protective effect on maternal and offspring outcomes. Professor Shakila Thangaratinam from QMUL's Barts Research Centre for Women's Health said: "Our findings are important because it is often thought that pregnant women shouldn't exercise because it may ...