The Impacts of Chrononutrition Behaviours on Maternal Health

Abstract

The nutritional status of the mother during pregnancy has a significant impact on the health of both the mother and the child. Although the importance of adequate and balanced nutrition in providing the micro and macronutrients necessary for maternal health and fetal development is well established, recent studies have indicated that not only the nutrient content of consumed foods, but also meal timing can influence health outcomes. The term ‘chrononutrition’ is defined as the circadian timing of food intake, which emphasises the importance of meal timing and frequency, as well as the specific foods that should be consumed. It has been reported that certain chrononutrition behaviours, including skipping meals, night eating behaviours, meal frequency and prolonged fasting, can have a significant impact on maternal health through mechanisms such as energy balance, body weight gain and glycemic control. The number of studies examining the chrononutrition effect during the maternal period, which affects the health of both the mother and the baby, is extremely limited. This review aims to examine the effects of some chrononutrition behaviours seen in pregnant women on maternal health.