Promoting healthy lifestyle choices during this time needs a careful approach, considering the various stages of life and related behaviours.
Reproductive health education starts in schools when children are around 10 years old and then builds on their knowledge year on year.
By understanding the specific challenges present at each life stage, we can create interventions that meet the needs of people at all stages of their reproductive life.
This ensures they are more effective, improve health outcomes, and encourage long-term healthy habits.
When to start talking about healthy habits
Adolescence
Adolescence is a time of physical, emotional, and psychological change.
During this stage young people are more vulnerable to peer pressure and may take part in risky behaviours, and unhealthy habits like smoking, poor diet, or substance abuse.
Concerns about body image and the need for independence can also affect health choices.
However, adolescence is also a great time to teach positive health habits that can benefit them throughout their lives, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and managing stress.
Young adulthood
In this stage, people go through major transitions like starting a career, forming relationships, and thinking about family planning.
Time pressures, financial worries, and career demands can lead to unhealthy habits such as inactivity, poor diet, and stress-related health issues.
This period is ideal for promoting long-term health planning, especially around nutrition, mental health, and preconception care.
Preconception and family planning
At this stage, people may start planning for pregnancy. Health conditions, lifestyle factors like smoking or poor diet, and stress can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
Access to healthcare and education about preconception health is crucial for ensuring a healthy pregnancy.
Preconception is a valuable time to make lifestyle changes that improve reproductive outcomes and reduce the risk of complications.
By promoting preconception health from the age of 10 and continuing through the reproductive years, and tailoring messages to different life stages, we can encourage healthier lifestyle choices and improve future pregnancy outcomes.
The impact of poor preconception health and key messages
Poor preconception health can negatively affect fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the long-term health of both the mother and child.
It is important to raise awareness about preconception health among women and those who are unsure about becoming pregnant (and so not actively preventing pregnancy).
Giving every child the best start in life involves addressing their physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
To reduce the risks of poor preconception health, several key messages should be shared with individuals of reproductive age, stressing the importance of preparing for pregnancy even before it is planned.
Being healthy before conception gives both the parent and baby the best chance for a healthy start in life and reduces the risk of complications.
Even if people are not planning a pregnancy, focusing on their health now can improve their chances of a healthy pregnancy in the future.
The choices people make today - like eating nutritious food, staying active, and avoiding harmful substances - can have a big impact on future pregnancies.
Encourage people to work on healthy habits now, even if they are not planning to get pregnant soon.