THE ROLE OF LIFE-STYLE IN PREVENTING LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT

Lifestyle behaviors such as cigarette smoking, weight gain during preg nancy, and use of other drugs play an important role in determining fe tal growth. The relationship between lifestyle risk factors and low bi rth weight is complex and is affected by psychosocial, economic, and b iological factors. Cigarette smoking is the largest known risk factor for low birth weight. Approximately 20% of all low birth weight could be avoided if women did not smoke during pregnancy. Reducing heavy use of alcohol and other drugs during pregnancy could also reduce the rat e of low birth weight births. Pregnancy and the prospect of pregnancy provide an important window of opportunity to improve women's health a nd the health of children. The adoption before or during pregnancy of more healthful lifestyle behaviors, such as ceasing to smoke, eating a n adequate diet and gaining enough weight during pregnancy, and ceasin g heavy drug use, can positively affect the long-term health of women and the health of their infants. Detrimental lifestyles can be modifie d, but successful modification will require large-scale societal chang es. In the United States, these societal changes should include a focu s on preventive health, family-centered workplace policies, and change s in social norms.