Nutrition in Schools Advisory Service

Pregnancy in Adolescents

The period of adolescence increases the demand on some nutrients in the diet. Pregnancy in adolescence further adds to these nutritional demands.

The pregnant teenager needs to have a good understanding of how important nutrition is to the developing foetus. More and more evidence is revealing that maternal diet during pregnancy may even affect the unborn child developing diseases in later life such as diabetes and heart disease. For this reason it is probably wise to educate all adolescents about diet during pregnancy. Not only will this improve the knowledge of the general population, but also create a supportive environment for the pregnant teenager.

Nutrients required in increased amounts during pregnancy are:

• Iron (click here for more information)
• Calcium (click here for more information)
• Vitamins A and C
• Folate

Advice regarding smoking and alcohol would also be appropriate.

Special Advice for the pregnant teenager should also come from the GP, dietitian, school nurse and/or health worker.

For more information Nutrition Australia recommends:

• Nutrition for Pregnancy
• Food for Under Two's
• Eating the Vegetarian Way
• Eating the Pyramid Way for Women of All Ages