Association of Dairy Protein Intake During Pregnancy with Birth Weight

Abstract

Background: One in 4 children globally is stunted. Stunting is associated with reduced cognitive development, reduced productivity, and chronic disease in later life.

Objective: To explore the association between maternal diet during pregnancy and low birth weight, which increases the risk of stunting.

Methods: Current literature pertaining to maternal diet and low birth weight was reviewed.

Results: Low birth weight and small for gestational age are risk factors for stunting. Dietary pattern studies show an association between moderate dairy protein intake and increased birth weight and reduced risk of low birth weight. Protein-to-carbohydrate ratios are important factors in relation to gestational weight gain and fetal programming. There is evidence suggesting that whey protein could play a role in fetal lean body mass and reduced risk of low birth weight.

Conclusions: Maternal diet is associated with birth weight.

Keywords: birth weight; dairy protein; maternal nutrition; prenatals.