A recent study shows that there are 50% less chances that the children born to those women who eat a diet rich in green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits before conception will be underweight and undernourished.

Pregnant women from New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and Britain were tested as part of the Screening for Pregnancy Endpoints (Scope) study.

It was found that a pre-pregnancy healthy diet decreased the risk of undersized babies in women with normal blood pressure.

Professor Lesley McCowan of Auckland University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology said that the study suggests that it is very important to eat a balanced diet before and after pregnancy.

She said women should be encouraged to take a healthy diet, improve the intake of important nutrients, and lead a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce the risk of obesity.

Philip Steer, the Editor of BJOG, said during pregnancy women should eat fewer takeaways and eat more fresh fruit and green vegetables.

Philip further said, "This study emphasises the importance of good diet and nutrition. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to resist the temptations of `junk' food'.

Conception by in vitro fertilisation and previous early pregnancy loss may be the risk factors for underdeveloped infants in mothers with high blood pressure, said Dr. McCowan.