To assess nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among pregnant women, and identify socioeconomic and healthcare determinants.

A cross-sectional study on maternal nutrition during pregnancy.

Pregnant women attending primary healthcare centres in the south of Tehran from December 2022 to March 2024.

1535 pregnant women of all ages living in the south of Tehran (both Iranian and non-Iranian).

Pregnant women were systematically selected from primary healthcare centres. Data were collected via validated questionnaires and electronic health records. Statistical analyses included multivariate logistic regression (adjusted ORs (aORs) with 95% CIs) and generalised linear mixed models.

The findings revealed that a majority of pregnant women (83.3%; 95% CI 81.2% to 85.3%) exhibited low levels of nutritional knowledge (scores below 12), whereas 14% demonstrated moderate knowledge (scores between 12 and 17), and only 2.7% (95% CI 1.9% to 3.8%) possessed high nutritional knowledge (scores above 18). In terms of attitudes, 36.9% of respondents expressed positive views toward nutrition, with higher education significantly associated with positive attitudes (aOR=1.8; 95% CI 1.3 to 2.5, comparing higher vs lower education levels). Dietary variety was consistently reported by 65.4% of participants, while 8.5% lacked dietary variety. Statistically significant associations were observed between educational attainment, socioeconomic status and nutrition-related practices (p

As a cross-sectional study, these findings highlight substantial gaps in nutrition knowledge among pregnant women in Tehran, with socioeconomic status and education playing crucial roles in shaping dietary behaviours. Improving nutritional education through healthcare interventions is essential for enhancing maternal and fetal health outcomes.

With the growing older population, ensuring effective, accessible nutritional support within primary care as a first line of medical care is becoming increasingly important. Nutritional counselling is a promising approach to enhancing health outcomes and independence among older adults. However, a stronger evidence base is needed to assess its true effect and inform clinical decisions. Additionally, food insecurity remains an under-recognised issue in this population and is often overlooked in primary care settings. This highlights the need for simple, practical methods to identify those at risk. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of nutritional intervention provided to older people and determine which nutrients may indicate food insecurity in primary care settings in Tehran.

The study will be conducted in two phases. The first phase is a prospective cohort study (single cohort). The second phase is a cross-sectional study on older people who refer to primary care settings affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In the first phase, the effectiveness of nutritional interventions – including counselling and diet – is evaluated based on anthropometric indicators (weight, waist circumference, calf circumference, arm circumference and waist-to-height ratio), blood pressure and scores from the Mini Nutritional Assessment, health-related quality of life, dietary intake and physical activity. Assessments will be evaluated prospectively at the beginning of the study, after 3 months, and at the end of the study. In the second phase of the cross-sectional study, by examining dietary intake and food insecurity, we will identify the specific nutrient or food group that serves as an indicator of food insecurity in the diet of older individuals. Intakes below 50% and 75% of the recommended daily allowance will be analysed. Through sensitivity and specificity analysis, we will identify which nutrient or food group is strongly associated with food insecurity in older people.

This study received approval from the Medical Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (IR.TUMS.MEDICINE.REC.1402.474). Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal articles, presentations at national and international conferences and meetings with the Iranian Ministry of Health, facility and community stakeholders.

69772