Excessive carbohydrate intake in pregnancy and neonatal obesity: Study in Cap Bon, Tunisia

Abstract

A high incidence (over 20%) of obesity was found in 250 neonates living in a rural area of Tunisia, by using weight and ponderal index per gestational age at the nutritional index. Maternal diabetes was probably excluded. Two surveys on nutritional habits - one on the general population and the other on pregnant women - showed a tendency to consume a high carbohydrate and low protein diet. The effect of a badly balanced maternal diet on the fetus is discussed.