Prevention of induced abortion and postpartum obesity

**38. What is the relationship between induced abortion and obesity?**

In the mid-1980s, a gynecological study conducted by gynecologists at a Polish hospital followed up women who had undergone abortions. The study found that women who had one abortion gained an average of 0.5–0.7 kg, while those who had two abortions gained 0.8–0.9 kg. Similar findings were observed in the former Soviet Union, France, and Italy.

Why does weight gain occur after an abortion? There are two main reasons: First, after conception, a woman's hormone function and metabolism undergo significant changes, one of which is accelerated fat synthesis. Second, after an abortion, the endocrine system changes rapidly, leading to increased gastric function. Combined with an overconsumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods, this easily promotes obesity. Unlike breastfeeding mothers after childbirth who need to produce milk to provide energy for their infants, women who have had an abortion do not need to supplement with excessive calories. Instead, they should eat more lean meat, seafood, soy products, and fresh vegetables and fruits.

**39. How to avoid postpartum obesity**

Traditional Chinese culture places great emphasis on "postpartum confinement," believing that women should consume large amounts of nourishing foods before and after childbirth, and should not engage in any physical activity, including getting out of bed. Some women even consume more than ten old hens, hundreds of eggs, and dozens of bottles of milk within a month. Such excessive calorie intake coupled with low calorie expenditure inevitably leads to fat accumulation and weight gain.

In addition, if women do not exercise more after childbirth, their abdominal muscles will become loose, causing excessive fat to accumulate in the abdomen, which seriously affects their figure. No wonder many women lament that their figure is no longer beautiful after giving birth.

In reality, as long as women stay warm and avoid getting sick, pregnant and postpartum women can participate in some appropriate activities, such as doing some housework or taking walks. This is not only beneficial for women, but also for the development of the child.

**40. What issues should women pay attention to in preventing obesity?**

The following aspects should be considered in the prevention of obesity in women.

(1) Get rid of the habit of snacking. Most women love to eat snacks and sweets. This habit is very detrimental to weight loss. Women should pay attention to effectively controlling their food intake, eating more fresh vegetables, eating meals on time, and getting rid of bad habits such as snacking.

(2) Pay attention to controlling calorie intake during periods when weight gain is common. Women are prone to weight gain between the ages of 20 and 49. Obesity is especially likely after age 30, during the reproductive years and menopause. During these periods, it is important to reduce carbohydrate intake to avoid overnutrition and obesity.

(3) Measures should be taken to prevent obesity from infancy. Statistics show that out of 100 obese infants, 45 will develop into obese adults. Therefore, obesity prevention should begin in infancy.

(4) Engage in regular exercise. Exercise can burn excess calories and is one of the important methods for weight loss.

**Pig Trotter Soup**

[Ingredients] 1000g of pig's trotters, pork ribs, and chicken carcass; side ingredients: appropriate amount of cabbage, a little dried shrimp, appropriate amount of salt, green onion, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns.

[Preparation] Wash the pig's trotters, pork ribs, and chicken carcass with warm water, put them in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil. Skim off the foam, add scallions, ginger, peppercorns, etc., and cook until the soup turns milky white. Remove the bones. Put the soaked dried shrimp and chopped cabbage into the soup pot, stir-fry over high heat, add an appropriate amount of salt, stir well and serve in a bowl.

[Energy] This recipe provides 35.0g of protein, 25.0g of fat, and 1632 kJ (390 kcal) of energy.

**Lamb and Winter Melon Soup**

[Ingredients] 50g lean mutton, 300g winter melon; Seasonings: sesame oil, soy sauce, salt, scallions, ginger and vegetable oil as needed.

[Preparation] Slice the washed mutton into thin slices, add appropriate amounts of soy sauce, salt, scallions, ginger, etc., and mix well; peel and wash the winter melon, then slice it. Place a casserole on the fire, add vegetable oil and heat it, stir-fry the winter melon slices briefly, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil, then add the mixed mutton slices, cook until done, and drizzle with sesame oil before serving.

[Energy] This recipe provides 10.2 grams of protein, 17.2 grams of fat, and 897 kJ (214.5 kcal) of energy.

**Bean sprout and tofu soup**

[Ingredients] 500g soybean sprouts, 250g tofu; Seasonings: 40g rendered pork fat, salt and scallion segments as needed.

[Preparation] Remove the roots and rotten sprouts from the bean sprouts, wash and drain them. Cut the tofu into 1 cm cubes, place them in a bowl, and blanch them with boiling water to remove the tofu's raw smell. Place a clay pot over heat, add rendered pork fat and heat until 70% hot, add scallions and stir-fry until fragrant, then add bean sprouts and stir-fry until half-cooked. Add an appropriate amount of boiling water and simmer over high heat for about 30 minutes. Then add the blanched tofu cubes and simmer over high heat for another 30 minutes, until the broth turns milky white. Add an appropriate amount of salt, then remove from heat and pour into a soup bowl to serve.

[Energy] This recipe provides 45.5 grams of protein, 57.1 grams of fat, and 3234 kJ (773.8 kcal) of energy.

**Dried Shrimp and Cabbage Soup**

[Ingredients] 500g tender Chinese cabbage hearts, 25g soaked dried shrimp; Seasonings: 50g rendered pork fat, appropriate amounts of chicken broth and salt.

[Preparation] Wash the cabbage and cut it into domino-shaped pieces about 4 cm long. Place a pot on the stove, add rendered pork fat and an appropriate amount of broth, then add the cabbage. Cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes, until the cabbage is tender. Add an appropriate amount of salt, dried shrimp, and other seasonings, simmer for a while longer, adjust the seasoning, and serve in a bowl.

[Energy] This recipe provides 8.3 grams of protein, 50.3 grams of fat, and 2183 kJ (522.3 kcal) of energy.