A leading expert in maternal health, Professor Abubakar Panti, has raised alarm over the growing threat posed by poor dietary practices among pregnant women in Nigeria, warning that such habits significantly increase the risk of gestational diabetes and other serious health complications for both mothers and their unborn children.
Speaking during a public health awareness engagement, Prof Panti, who is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Honorary Chief Consultant at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, emphasized that the rising consumption of highly processed foods, sugary products, and nutrient-deficient meals among expectant mothers is a major contributor to the development of gestational diabetes—a condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
He explained that while gestational diabetes can often be managed with medical supervision, its implications are far-reaching, potentially leading to complications during delivery, slow maternal recovery, increased risk of infections, and even long-term health problems for both the mother and the baby.
“Excessive intake of processed food and sugar during pregnancy predisposes women to gestational diabetes. This not only endangers the health of the mother during pregnancy but can lead to severe complications, some of which may have lasting effects on the baby,” he said.
Prof Panti further elaborated on the broader impact of poor nutrition during pregnancy, noting that expectant mothers are also at heightened risk of conditions such as anaemia, preeclampsia—marked by high blood pressure—osteoporosis due to lack of calcium and vitamin D, as well as psychological challenges like postpartum depression. He stressed that these risks are particularly severe in cases where women are unable to maintain a balanced and nutrient-rich diet.
He also underscored the potential long-term impact on the baby, warning that inadequate maternal nutrition could lead to intrauterine growth restriction, where the baby fails to develop properly in the womb. Other possible consequences include premature birth, low birth weight, and neural tube defects such as spina bifida, which are often linked to a deficiency in folic acid during early pregnancy.
“The mother might recover from some of the complications after birth, but for the baby, the effects of poor maternal nutrition are often irreversible. Developmental delays, poor immunity, or structural abnormalities can result from a lack of essential nutrients during gestation,” Prof Panti noted.
He linked the growing nutritional challenges among pregnant women to the worsening economic realities in the country. According to him, rising food prices, unemployment, and widespread poverty are forcing many expectant mothers to compromise on their dietary needs, often consuming fewer meals and neglecting essential food groups like fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods.
Reports from various parts of the country confirm that many pregnant women now survive on two meals a day, mostly made up of carbohydrate-heavy staples, with minimal access to fruits and protein. Health experts warn that such trends are contributing to an increase in anaemia, preterm births, and low birth weight cases.
Concerns have also been raised over Nigeria’s persistently high neonatal mortality rate, currently estimated at 39 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the infant mortality rate, which stands at 67 per 1,000 live births. Even more alarming is the maternal mortality rate, pegged at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, which experts fear may worsen if the current nutritional crisis is not addressed.
In response to these worrying statistics, Prof Panti advocated for the strengthening of Nigeria’s primary healthcare system and the introduction of nutrition-focused interventions specifically targeting pregnant women. He urged both federal and state governments to roll out support programmes that ensure pregnant women have access to nutritious food, supplements, and regular antenatal care.
“Good maternal nutrition is a foundation for national development. If we allow children to be born malnourished and unhealthy, we are mortgaging the future. We must invest in maternal health now to secure a healthier and more productive population,” Prof Panti concluded.
