Good nutrition is especially important for pregnant teens--but it's especially challenging for them as well. Kristin S. Montgomery, Ph.D., R.N., notes in the "Journal of Perinatal Education" that teens in general have distinct nutrition needs beyond those of adults. These increased nutrition needs are magnified when adolescents become pregnant and consequently face the need for appropriate prenatal nutrition as well.
Nutrition and Pregnancy Outcome
Nutrition is strongly related to pregnancy outcome. According to the American Dietetic Association, proper nutrition in pregnancy reduces the risk of birth defects, insufficient fetal growth and development and chronic health issues in children. Certain nutrients are especially crucial during pregnancy, including folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin D and protein. These nutrients together contribute to the growth of the unborn baby and protect against low birth weight and preterm delivery.
Teen Nutrition Challenges
Certain developmental aspects of adolescence make nutrition particularly challenging during the teen years. Teens often engage in unhealthy eating practices like dieting, skipping meals, consuming fast food and other "junk foods" and eating meals away from home, where food choices may be less healthy. As a result of these habits, teens often enter pregnancy with a nutrient deficit compared with adult pregnant women, even though their nutrition needs are similar, says the journal "Pediatric Annals." This can compromise their pregnancy health and fetus development.
Encouraging Good Nutrition
Because of the importance of good perinatal nutrition for teenagers, it's crucial for parents and health providers to encourage improved nutrient intake during pregnancy. Dr. Kristin S. Montgomery advises a number of strategies toward this end, including focusing on food rather than nutrients, tailoring nutrition advice to the teen's current individual eating habits, considering family and peer influences on eating habits, rewarding teens' efforts to eat better, making healthy eating easy, stressing the link between healthy eating and proper baby development and referring pregnant teens to a dietitian if necessary.
Considerations
Other factors relevant to teenagers may influence their nutrition habits, and subsequently, their pregnancies. Adolescence tends to heighten body-consciousness, negative body image and rates of eating disorders; pregnant teens may benefit from special consideration of these challenges as their pregnancies progress to ensure proper eating habits. Prenatal vitamins can offer "insurance" to cover any dietary gaps in nutrients. Consult an obstetrician for expert evaluation and recommendations regarding nutrition for pregnant teens.
References
- "Journal of Perinatal Education"; Improving Nutrition in Pregnant Adolescents: Recommendations for Clinical Practitioners; Kristin S. Montgomery, Ph.D., R.N.; 2003
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Position of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrition and Lifestyle for a Healthy Pregnancy Outcome; October 2002
- MayoClinic.com; Pregnancy diet: Focus on these essential nutrients; May 2011
- "Pediatric Annals"; Nutrition During Teenage Pregnancy; Y. Guttierez, et al; February 1993
