ENERGY-REQUIREMENTS IN HUMAN-PREGNANCY, IN HUMAN-NUTRITION AND PARASITIC INFECTION

The energy requirement of pregnancy reflects a problem which contains a great deal of uncertainty. To supply the theoretical energy needs fo r the increases in maternal and foetal tissues and to cover the elevat ed basal metabolic rate involves an amount equivalent to an extra 250- 300 kcal/day on average, but in real-life situations there is seldom a rise in dietary energy of a comparable quantity. Data from co-ordinat ed longitudinal studies in four countries, together with results from other published papers, show energy intakes increasing by only 100-150 kcal/day, and only in the third trimester. Although it is difficult t o demonstrate, the probability is that there are energy savings in red uced physical activity which compensate for the larger energy needs.