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Since the mid-70s, my research area of interest and focus is what can we do to try to improve
pregnancy outcomes of the average individual. And my focus is how can we improve their diets.
One of the things that we know is that individuals who have poor diets, what we mean by that
is that they are usually low in fruits and vegetables, high-protein dishes, have an increased
risk for pregnancy complications. So we're constantly trying to say, what can
we do to make their diets better? Campaigns, such as Five-A-Day, which are focused
on increasing fruits and vegetable intake is exactly what we need to make significant
positive strides in having healthy children. One of the things I sometimes hear from women
is, "Well, I'm worried about eating this fruit or vegetable." Indeed, a few studies have
been published that suggest that concerns over, say, pesticide residues on fruits or
vegetables, or other environmental pollutants makes them maybe not eat that fruit or vegetable.
And I think this is really unfortunate. What I tell women routinely is all the data
suggests you want to increase your intake during pregnancy. For that matter before you
even become pregnant to help optimize your chance for having a very healthy child.