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Pregnant women ‘eating for two’ at health risk
Pregnant women who believe in the "eating for two" myth risk harming the health of themselves and their babies, experts have warned. A survey suggests that more than two thirds of UK mothers-to-be have no idea how many extra calories they need during pregnancy. More than 63 per cent of participants felt under pressure from others to eat larger meals than normal.
Alex Davis, from the National Charity Partnership which commissioned the poll, said: "The 'eating for two' myth has been around for years, but it's very unhelpful. Eating healthily and consuming healthy portion sizes are important before, during and after pregnancy to increase the chances of conceiving naturally, reduce the risk of pregnancy and birth-related complications and stave off health problems like Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease in the long-term."
Official guidelines from Nice (National Institute for health and Care Excellence) say women do not need
any extra calories in the first six months of pregnancy. During the last three months they only require about 200 extra calories per day – the equivalent of two pieces of wholegrain toast with olive oil spread or a small handful of nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
A total of 2,100 women from across the UK took part in the survey. More than four in five (85 per cent) said they did not know how many extra calories to consume during pregnancy. Of the women who were currently pregnant, 69 per cent lacked this knowledge.
8-year-old girl dies after becoming trapped under logs
An eight-year-old girl died yesterday and a 12-year-old girl was airlifted to hospital after being trapped under logs in an Argyll forest. The incident happened near the village of Benderloch outside Oban.
Police and other emergency services were called to the area after receiving a report that a girl had become trapped under logs. Police said the Health & Safety Executive has been informed about the incident and a report would be sent to the procurator fiscal. The spokesman added: "Inquires are ongoing into this incident, however police are not treating this as suspicious. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."
Injured hillwalker ‘crawled for hours’ to safety
An injured hillwalker crawled for hours before being rescued from one of the remotest parts of the UK. The woman and another walker were completing the Fisherfield Five munros in north west Scotland on Friday when she slipped and suffered an ankle injury that prevented her from walking any further, mountain rescuers said.
After a "lengthy crawl" lasting a number of hours the pair spent the night out on the mountain side, Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team said. The uninjured walker then set off on a five hour walk in the early hours of Saturday to raise the alarm.
Fifteen members of the team and a helicopter from Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis were involved in the rescue operation. The woman was airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for medical treatment. Donald MacRae, team leader of Dundonnell MRT, said on their Facebook page: "The couple did the right thing and were both well equipped."
Teen arrested after woman conned out of £6,000
A teenage boy has been arrested after an elderly woman was allegedly conned out of £6,000. The 16-yearold and a 28-year-old man have been arrested by Avon and Somerset Police after the victim was convinced to withdraw the four-figure sum from her bank account by one of the suspects impersonating a police officer. Police said the woman, from Bath, was targeted on Thursday.
One of the suspects allegedly convinced her to attend her bank and withdraw a large quantity of money. A courier then called at her house to pick the money up. Acting Detective Inspector Dave Lewis said: "The two people have been questioned and released under investigation while we progress with our inquiries."