Eating for two: How extra food during pregnancy can improve birth outcomes Original paper

In this meta-analysis of 24 clinical trials with 11,305 pregnant participants, the provision of protein-balanced foods during pregnancy improved some birth outcomes, especially in mothers who were malnourished.

This Study Summary was published on June 3, 2025.

The study

The foods provided to the participants were balanced in protein, meaning that they contained no more than 25% of calories as protein (due to hypothesized fetal risks of excess protein intake during pregnancy[1]).

The food supplements were often milk or milk products (e.g., chocolate milk, cheese), sometimes in combination with foods like legumes, grains, and/or eggs. The foods were sometimes fortified with vitamins and minerals.

The provision of food supplements (compared to not receiving the food supplements) resulted in the following outcomes:

  • Higher birth weight (+63 grams)
  • 27% lower risk of low birth weight
  • 40% lower risk of small-for-gestational age in participants considered malnourished
  • Longer birth length (+0.2 cm)
  • 44% lower risk of perinatal death (e.g., stillbirth) in participants considered malnourished

The quality of evidence was considered high for birth weight and moderate for all other outcomes.

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The results

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    This Study Summary was published on June 3, 2025.