ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the impacts of lifestyle on ovulatory infertility and maternal and fetal pregnancy outcomes. The causes of maternal mortality have shifted away from non-preventable causes, such as hemorrhage, to diseases of lifestyle. Cardiovascular disease, stroke, and hypertensive diseases of pregnancy combined cause 30% of maternal deaths. Maternal diet and lifestyle behaviors can result in negative fetal impacts that include obesity and autism. Dietary behaviors resulting in obesity and malnutrition are linked with oxidative disturbances and chronic, low-grade inflammation. The causes of maternal mortality have changed in developed nations. Historically in this country and still in the developing world, hemorrhage has been responsible for one quarter of maternal deaths. Interestingly, cortisol concentrations increased 5.4% per portion of maternal meat/fish consumption per day but decreased 3.3% per portion of maternal green vegetable consumption per week. Obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of having a child with autism by 60%, and diabetes during pregnancy doubles the risk.
