Nutrition and physical activity policies for preventing the increase
in noncommunicable diseases in Latvia
Inadequate nutrition (both maternal and paternal), with excessive intake of calories and
deficiency in micronutrients, can affect future generations. A prenatal strategy to promote a
normal body weight, healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle for women starting pregnancy
should be a priority. Pregnancy is a good time to change habits and introduce dietary and
lifestyle changes with a positive health impact, as most women are not indifferent to the health
of their unborn child. Obesity, an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle are the main risk
factors for the health of unborn children and the development of NCDs in later life.
The main approach for reducing the spread of preventable, nutrition-‐related NCDs is to
improve the nutritional status of women of reproductive age, with due attention to the
differences among population groups in different demographic and social and economic strata.
A complex approach to improving the maternal diet is required to “ensure that every child has
the best start in life”. This idea should be incorporated into the nationwide health care system,
with attention to health promotion in early life, including before conception, as well as to the
health of the mother, the newborn, the infant and the young child.
| 
