oa Editorial [Hot Topic: Promote Healthy Eating in Women of Childbearing Age (Guest Editor: Hiroko Watanabe)]

There is great concern about the high prevalence of and increasing trend toward obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) worldwide. Around one-third of women of reproductive age are classified as obese. Maternal size before conception plays a key role in determining not only maternal health during and after pregnancy, but also perinatal outcomes. Being overweight or obese can reduce fertility and increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and delivery complications in pregnancy. Being underweight before becoming pregnant can have its own health implications, including increased risk of small-forgestational age deliveries. A reproductive-age woman's nutritional status has a profound impact on her own health, and it can impact fertility and reproductive outcomes for short- and long-term health. However, many childbearing age women do not maintain a healthy diet before conception or during pregnancy. Folic acid is a nutrient currently recognized as important prior to and during pregnancy because of its proven preventive properties against neural tube defects. In addition, inadequate folate levels have been linked to increased risks of macrocytic anaemia, atherosclerotic disease, stroke, cancer and psychiatric disorders in later life. Promoting women's health during preconception and pregnancy is a key public health strategy. Women of childbearing age should maintain good nutritional status through their lifestyles. Most women can benefit from advice on general dietary improvements, while the remainder should seek advice on how to promote the quality and quantity of nutritional intake. Health interventions are needed to help women obtain a healthy body weight and to educate them about the importance of eating a healthy diet ‘before’ becoming pregnant. This special issue is based on discussions of the necessity of folate intake and appropriate weight before conception and during pregnancy and aims to highlight the importance of maintaining good health. A critical goal is for women to make behaviour changes to achieve good nutritional status before, during and beyond their pregnancies, which may lead to improved mental and physical health in later life for both themselves and their family members.