Nutritional Knowledge in Pregnant Women and Their Nutritional Status
Exploring the Impact of Nutritional Literacy on the Health Status of Expectant Mothers
Keywords:
CED, knowledge, nutritional, pregnant, maternal healthAbstract
Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) remains a persistent nutritional challenge among pregnant women, particularly in developing countries such as Indonesia. Insufficient consumption of energy and vital nutrients during pregnancy has been associated with detrimental maternal and fetal outcomes, including low birth weight, maternal anemia, and higher risks of neonatal mortality. One of the fundamental contributors to the persistence of CED is inadequate maternal knowledge regarding nutrition. This literature review aims to assess the association between maternal nutritional knowledge and the occurrence of CED, based on national research studies conducted between 2020 and 2025. A total of nine cross-sectional studies were analyzed using a narrative review method. Articles were selected using purposive sampling from databases such as Google Scholar and institutional repositories. The inclusion criteria included pregnant women as subjects, Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) was assessed using the Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) measurement, along with evaluations of maternal nutritional knowledge. The findings consistently indicated that pregnant women possessing a higher level of nutritional understanding were less likely to experience CED (with MUAC measurements ≥ 23.5 cm), whereas limited knowledge was strongly associated with an increased risk of CED. Some studies also highlighted the role of other influencing factors such as maternal attitude, household income, antenatal care attendance, and access to nutrition counseling. In conclusion, maternal nutritional knowledge plays a significant role in preventing CED. However, to be effective, knowledge must be accompanied by supportive behaviors and enabling socioeconomic conditions. Integrated interventions involving education, routine antenatal monitoring, and family empowerment are recommended to reduce the risk of CED and improve maternal health outcomes.
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