In parts of the world where daily nutrition is unstable, pregnancy and newborn health are more uncertain. A new study led by epidemiologist Dongqing Wang of George Mason University College of Public Health provides evidence that improving maternal nutrition during pregnancy may be an important intervention to improve birth outcomes.
Looking at eight clinical trials in Africa and South Asia, the study shows that balanced energy and protein (BEP) supplements—food-based products such as beverages or nutrient-dense pastes designed to increase calorie and protein intake—are associated with healthier birth weights and fewer high-risk newborns in low- and middle-income countries. The findings were published in PLoS Medicine.
“In situations where pregnant women are not getting enough calories and protein, it is important to act quickly,” said Wang, assistant professor of epidemiology in the Department of Global and Community Health.
“Improving maternal nutrition can reduce the risk of poor birth outcomes.”
Dongqing Wang, College of Public Health, George Mason University
Why does it matter?
Maternal undernutrition puts infants at higher risk of death, disease, and developmental delays.
Interventions have often focused on micronutrient supplements, but this study shows that food-based approaches to increasing calorie and protein intake may better support fetal development. BEP supplements can also be distributed through existing maternal health programs, making them a practical solution on a large scale. Wang is also currently conducting further research in Ethiopia that examines the cost-effectiveness of different methods of BiP supplementation.
study the details
Wang and colleagues combined individual-level data from randomized controlled trials conducted in Nepal, Gambia, Pakistan, and several other low- and middle-income settings. The team compared the outcomes of pregnant individuals who received BiP supplements with those who did not.
Key findings include:
- BEP dosage was associated with higher birth weight and a lower risk of having low birth weight or small for gestational age infants.
- The effects were particularly notable for infants small for their gestational age, a group at higher risk of neonatal mortality.
- The benefits appeared stronger in women who started taking supplements early in pregnancy, especially before 20 weeks.
Wang worked with a global network of researchers from institutions including Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Aga Khan University, and partners in Europe, South Asia and Africa.
