Describe the physiological demands that increase energy requirements during pregnancy


Energy requirements during pregnancy increase mainly due to protein and fat tissue synthesis, and the energy cost of maintaining an expanding amount of metabolically active tissues. Protein synthesis primarily occurs in fetal, placental, uterine, and breast tissues. Most of the fat synthesized during pregnancy is used to buildup maternal fat stores. Expanded metabolic activity related to the increased work of the mother's cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems are responsible for much of the increase in energy needed for basal metabolism. The fetus accounts for about a third of the increased energy needs of pregnancy.

Nutritional Science

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