A top medical professional has issued a stern warning about the consequences of inadequate nutrition during pregnancy, emphasizing that the growing consumption of sugary and processed foods among expectant mothers significantly increases the likelihood of health issues like gestational diabetes and other severe complications.
Professor Abubakar Panti, a seasoned obstetrician and gynaecologist at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, pointed out that poor dietary habits during pregnancy could result in critical health risks for both mother and child. He emphasized that when expectant mothers consume large quantities of unhealthy foods, especially those high in sugar and additives, it sets the stage for serious conditions that could impact pregnancy outcomes and long-term well-being.
Sugary and Processed Foods Behind Surge in Pregnancy-Related Illnesses
Speaking on the subject, Professor Panti explained that gestational diabetes—a condition where blood sugar levels rise abnormally during pregnancy—has become increasingly common, largely due to unhealthy eating patterns. He noted that this condition, which often goes undetected without proper screening, significantly raises the chances of complications during childbirth and can result in lifelong health consequences.
“Eating poorly while pregnant, especially foods overloaded with sugar and chemical preservatives, has a direct link to gestational diabetes. This illness can create complex challenges for the pregnancy and even influence the child’s health in the future,” he said.
He stressed that gestational diabetes is not only dangerous during pregnancy but also increases the mother’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes after childbirth, while the baby may face metabolic and developmental concerns later in life.
Malnutrition in Expectant Mothers Linked to Dangerous Health Conditions
In addition to gestational diabetes, the professor identified several other pregnancy-related health conditions that arise due to insufficient nutrition. These include anemia, high blood pressure complications such as preeclampsia, brittle bones from calcium deficiency, and post-delivery problems like slow healing, infections, and depression.
He noted that a lack of essential vitamins and minerals during pregnancy undermines the body’s ability to carry the pregnancy to full term without complications and also delays physical recovery after childbirth.
“Beyond the delivery room, poor nutrition continues to have consequences,” he said. “It weakens the mother’s immune system, slows recovery, and may even contribute to emotional distress such as postpartum depression.”
Poor Nutrition Affects Fetal Development and Birth Outcomes
Professor Panti stressed that nutritional deficiencies impact the developing baby just as seriously. According to him, when a mother lacks vital nutrients during pregnancy, the unborn child may suffer from restricted growth in the womb, commonly referred to as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This condition often leads to babies being born underweight and can result in lasting developmental delays.
He further explained that without adequate folic acid intake, babies are at risk of being born with severe neural defects, including issues such as spina bifida, where the spine fails to develop properly. He also highlighted that poor dietary choices could lead to premature delivery and other complications, making early childhood survival and development more difficult.
“The mother may bounce back eventually, but the child could carry the scars of poor nutrition for life,” he cautioned. “Many developmental issues linked to inadequate prenatal nutrition cannot be reversed.”
Rising Food Prices Deepen Nutritional Crisis Among Pregnant Women
Professor Panti also connected Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges to the widespread dietary shortcomings among pregnant women. He warned that escalating food costs and a lack of access to essential food items have made it increasingly difficult for many expectant mothers to maintain a healthy diet.
Recent reports have revealed that many pregnant women across the country now eat just twice a day, with limited or no access to fresh fruits and vegetables. These troubling patterns, health experts say, are contributing to a rise in anemia, underweight newborns, and premature births.
Nigeria currently faces a neonatal mortality rate of 39 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate stands at 67 per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate is even more alarming—512 deaths for every 100,000 live births—figures that analysts say could worsen unless nutritional challenges are addressed urgently.
Government Must Invest in Maternal Nutrition to Protect Future Generations
In light of these concerns, Professor Panti called on the federal and state governments to prioritize maternal nutrition by strengthening healthcare services and launching nutrition-focused support programs aimed at pregnant women. He argued that safeguarding the health of mothers and their babies should be a national development priority.
He urged stakeholders to adopt policies that ensure pregnant women, especially those from low-income households, have access to affordable and nutritious food throughout their pregnancy.
“Providing proper nourishment to expectant mothers is not only about ensuring healthy births—it’s about securing the future of the nation,” he said. “If children are born with health challenges due to nutritional deficiencies, it becomes a long-term burden for the entire country.”
The professor concluded by underscoring the critical role maternal nutrition plays in building a healthy society. “When children start life strong and healthy, it lays the foundation for a prosperous future. But when malnutrition begins in the womb, it creates a ripple effect that affects education, productivity, and even national growth.”
