Effects of Antenatal Nutrition Counseling on Maternal and Infant Outcomes

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether individualized antenatal nutrition counseling provided between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation could improve maternal dietary quality, dietary inflammatory potential, gestational weight gain, postpartum depressive symptoms, and infant growth outcomes among pregnant women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index of 25-30 kg/m². Participants were assigned to either an intervention group receiving six structured nutrition counseling sessions or a control group receiving standard written nutrition information and routine antenatal care. Assessments were conducted at 24 weeks and 36 weeks of gestation and at two months postpartum.

Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women at 24 weeks of gestation * Aged 19-40 years * Singleton pregnancy * Pre-pregnancy body mass index between 25 and 30 kg/m² * Willingness to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Multiple pregnancy * Gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed before or at enrollment * Chronic disease requiring medical treatment * Pregnancy complications occurring before recruitment * Current smoking * Receiving nutrition counseling from another dietitian or healthcare professional * History of preterm birth * History of intrauterine growth restriction or delivery of a low-birth-weight infant (\