Celebrity mothers put women under pressure to lose babyweight too fast: Nice

By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor Published: 7:15AM GMT 19 Feb 2010

Previous of Images Next Model Heidi Klum was back on the catwalk just six weeks after the birth of her fourth child last year Photo: REUTERS A pregnant Jennifer Lopez in February 2008 (right) and in September 2008 Photo: REX FEATURES

Women should be reassured that losing the extra pounds they gained while pregnant will take time and they should not try to crash diet, the NHS advisory organisation said in draft guidance for new mothers.

It said "celebrity claims of unrealistic rapid weight loss" put women under additional pressure at an already stressful time.

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Heidi Klum, the model, was back on the catwalk just six weeks after the birth of her fourth child last year and was modelling lingerie just eight weeks after her second child Henry was born in 2005.

Myleene Klass, the television presenter, regained her svelte appearance just three months after Ava was born but said it was simply down to breastfeeding and clever dressing.

The actresses Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez both lost weight soon after having a child.

Professor Mike Kelly, Director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at Nice, said: "Its important for women to understand that weight loss after birth takes time and that physical activity and gradual weight loss will not affect a womans ability to breastfeed."

After giving birth women should receive more support from healthcare workers and leisure organisations should provide crèches so they can exercise to lose the weight gradually, the guidance said.

Nice is developing guidance for the NHS and other organisations on physical activity and weight management measures for women pre-pregnancy, while carrying the child and after birth.

The guidance emphasises the importance of being a healthy weight before conception in order to avoid pregnancy and birth complications and warned that women do not need to "eat for two".

The document also dispels other myths saying women can safely exercise during pregnancy, do not need to eat more when breastfeeding and there is no need to drink milk that is full fat.

The guidance is aimed at healthcare professionals involved in the care of women during pregnancy and after birth to help them give consistent messages and use methods that are known to work.

Obesity among women having babies is becoming an increasing problem and a report found that half of women who died soon after giving birth were seriously overweight.

Obesity reduces the chance of conceiving, increases likelihood of high blood pressure and blood clots in the mother and raises the chances of abnormalities in the baby.

Professor Mike Kelly, Director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at Nice said: "In todays society women are bombarded by often conflicting advice on what constitutes a healthy diet and how much physical activity they should do during pregnancy and after birth.

"The draft guidance includes a number of practical recommendations, such as ensuring advice on healthy eating and physical activity for women after they have had a baby takes into account the demands of looking after a small baby and how tired the women are and any health problems they may have.

"We hope that the recommendations will ensure women are provided with the support they need to help them maintain a healthy weight, for them and the health of their baby."

The draft recommendations are available on the NICE website at: http://guidance.nice.org.uk/PHG/Wave18/3 for comment until March 18.