Letter: Calorie control

LAURA TENNANT says that "during pregnancy you will need 500 more calories a day" ("Battle of the bulge", Real Life, 23 May). The Department of Health report of the panel of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (1991) recommends that no additional energy intake in the first and second trimesters is required; an increase of 200 kcal above pre-pregnant requirements is advised in the third trimester. By suggesting an increase of 500 kcal/day when over 50 per cent of the female UK population is already overweight is putting across a dangerous message.

EMILE RICHMAN

Liverpool