Teen Case Study on Diet
Teenage mothers are exposed to several factors that can affect the health of their unborn child. Some of the key factors that put these mothers at risk include, inability to gain sufficient weight during pregnancy, which in turn leads to low birth weight. Besides, teenagers often have poor eating habits, to curb this challenge; daily prenatal multivitamins are recommended (Remedy’s Health Communities, 2000). Tina has a prescription for prenatal vitamins; however, she has not filled it yet, hence Tina is at a risk of inadequate nutrition during pregnancy.
Tina main diet is snack foods that may not have the sufficient health diet recommended during pregnancy.
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Tina does not adequately consume Calcium, Iron, Folic Acid, and Vitamin C (American Pregnancy Association, 2016). The prenatal vitamins prescribed do not make up for an inadequate diet; however, the vitamins act as a supplement to already existing minerals in the body.
Tina having been a little heavy before the pregnancy should gain about 15 to 25 pounds during pregnancy. In the first trimester, the ideal weight gain is 2 to 4 pounds. Nonetheless, Tina has already gained 20 pounds that puts her and the baby at risk. The doctor can give recommendations to help Tina in slowing down the weight gain. She can start by changing her diet, snack foods are rich in fat, which must have contributed to her weight gain.
Tina can eat fast foods that have low fat content such as chicken breast sandwich served with tomato and lettuce. Reduce her soda intake and instead take more water to keep her hydrated (WebMD, 2014). Moderate exercise activities such as taking long walks can also help reduce the unnecessary weight gain.
The second hand smoke that Tina and her fetus are exposed to puts her at a possible risk of miscarriage as well as behavioural deficiencies to her unborn child. The baby is also at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) once he or she has been born (American Pregnancy Association, 2016).
References
American Pregnancy Association. (2016). Pregnancy Nutrition . Retrieved from http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/pregnancy-nutrition/
American Pregnancy Association. (2016). Second Hand Smoke and Pregnancy. Retrieved from http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-complications/second-hand-smoke-and- pregnancy/
Remedy’s Health Communities. (2000). Teen Pregnancy & Health Risks to the Baby . Retrieved from http://www.healthcommunities.com/teen-pregnancy/children/risks-to-baby-in-teen- pregnancy.shtml
WebMD. (2014). Gain Weight Safely During Pregnancy . Retrieved from www.webmd.com/baby/guide/healthy-weight-gain
