Introduction

Introduction
Nutrition during pregnancy is a critical aspect of ensuring the health and well-
being of both the mother and the developing baby. It encompasses dietary
planning before conception, as well as throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Insufficient or excessive intake of certain nutrients can lead to medical
problems for both the fetus and the mother. Maternal and child undernutrition
collectively contribute to more than 10% of the global burden of disease [1].
Maternal undernutrition is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income

countries and is associated with various adverse outcomes. It often results in
anemia in pregnant women, poor fetal development, and an increased risk of
pregnancy complications. The epidemiology of maternal undernutrition
highlights the need for focused interventions to address nutritional deficiencies
and improve maternal and child health outcomes [2].
The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of

counseling women on healthy eating habits and physical activity during
pregnancy to maintain overall health and prevent excessive weight gain. A
healthy diet during pregnancy should provide adequate energy, protein,
vitamins, and minerals. This can be achieved by consuming a variety of foods,
including green and orange vegetables, meat, fish, beans, nuts, pasteurized dairy
products, and fruits [3].
In Iraq, for example, anemia affected approximately 33.5% of pregnancies in

2016, according to data from the World Bank. Addressing nutrition is crucial to
combat anemia, prevent early pregnancies, and ensure that girls receive
adequate nutrient intake for optimal development. By focusing on providing
essential nutrients to girls during their formative years, the cycle of malnutrition
and its associated consequences can be broken, reducing maternal and child
deaths in future generations [4].
While the notion of "eating for two" is not entirely accurate, it is true that the
body's nutritional needs increase during pregnancy to support the mother and
the baby. Both macro- and micronutrients are essential during this time, as they
contribute to the growth and development of the fetus and help meet the
increased demands on the mother's body [5].
Efforts to improve maternal and fetal nutrition during pregnancy have focused
on achieving appropriate energy intake and ensuring that the intake of specific
nutrients is adequate to meet maternal and fetal requirements. Although the
need for appropriate weight gain during pregnancy has long been recognized,
clinical and public health recommendations for weight gain have changed over
the years as new data have become available [6].
In summary, nutrition during pregnancy plays a crucial role in ensuring the

health of both the mother and the developing baby. Adequate intake of essential
nutrients through a balanced diet is necessary to prevent complications, support
fetal development, and reduce the burden of maternal and child undernutrition.
Targeted interventions and counseling can have a significant impact on
improving maternal and child health outcomes and breaking the cycle of
malnutrition.
Nurses, who play a vital role in promoting maternal nutrition are considered the
backbone of maternity services. Hence, it is crucial for them to have adequate
knowledge regarding the promotion of maternal nutrition to be able to provide
effective nutritional services to women during pregnancy [7]. Therefore, this
study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses regarding
nutrition in pregnant women.
References
1. Shankar P, Boylan M, Sriram K. (2010), Micronutrient deficiencies after

bariatric surgery. Nutrition, 26(11-12):1031–1037.
2. Draga Plećas et all., (2014), Nutrition in Pregnancy: Basic Principles and
Recommendations, 142(1-2):125-30
3. Eastman, N.J., and E. Jackson. 1968. Weight relationships in pregnancy:
I. The bearing of maternal weight gain and prepregnancy weight on birth
weight in full term pregnancies. Obstet. Gynecol. Surv. 23:1003–1025
4. Edwards, L.E., W.F. Dickes, I.R. Alton, and E.Y. Hakanson.
1978. Pregnancy in the massively obese: course, outcome, and obesity
prognosis of the infant. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 131:479–483.
5. Hinkle, S. N., Sharma, A. J., & Swan, D. W. (2018). Eating during
pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics, 45(3), 459-472.
6. Siega-Riz, A. M., & Herrmann, T. S. (2013). Nutrient supplementation
during pregnancy: guidelines for pregnant women. Current Opinion in
Obstetrics and Gynecology, 25(2), 124-132.
7. Tsiame M. Mekhoa et all., (2022), Knowledge, attitudes and practices of
nurses regarding maternal nutrition in pregnant women at a large hospital
and filter clinics, Lesotho, 27: 1768, doi: 10.4102/hsag.v27i0.1768

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Introduction

Maternal undernutrition is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of

In Iraq, for example, anemia affected approximately 33.5% of pregnancies in

In summary, nutrition during pregnancy plays a crucial role in ensuring the

1. Shankar P, Boylan M, Sriram K. (2010), Micronutrient deficiencies after

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