High-fat diet poses a health risk to both mom and baby

Around 1900, the average weight of a 5-foot-3 North American woman aged 25 to 29 was 132 pounds.

Today, according to a new report, 50 per cent of moms-to-be (average height 5-foot-4) are overweight (25.6 per cent) or obese (24.8 per cent) before becoming pregnant.

That can cause trouble for mom (gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy; a tougher delivery; and diabetes, depression and heart woes after giving birth), and it can increase a child’s risk of premature diabetes, obesity and other health challenges down the road.

Well, now there’s another wrinkle: Researchers found that if mom eats a high-fat diet while pregnant, baby’s gut biome ends up with a lack of bacteroides microbes. These microbes are essential for extracting energy from carbohydrates and help nurture other important gut bacteria. The result? A baby has a compromised immune system and compromised metabolic health.

So moms-to-be, make sure you take prenatal vitamins with DHA-omega-3. They reduce the risk of autism spectrum disorder by 40 per cent and spine malformation and childhood cancer by more than 60 per cent.

Keep close tabs on your unhealthy fat intake: Eliminate all trans fats and most saturated fat; stick with skinless poultry and fish. (Follow seafood recommendations atFDA.gov — search for New Advice: Pregnant Women and Young Children Should Eat More Fish.) Limit fat intake to no more than about 25 per cent of daily calories; if you’re eating 1,800 calories a day, that means 350 should come from healthy fats, just a bit less than three tablespoon of goodfor-you olive oil.

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of The Dr. Oz Show, and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. To live your healthiest, tune into The Dr. Oz Show or visitsharecare.com