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PregnancyMaNuNCT07550309

Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Study on the Effectiveness of Nutritional Education During Uncomplicated Pregnancy

A study testing Structured Nutritional Education Program and Routine Prenatal Care With Nutritional Information Brochure in people with Pregnancy and Uncomplicated Pregnancy, run by Azienda Sanitaria Locale CN2 Alba-Bra at 1 site in Italy.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a structured nutritional education intervention can improve gestational weight gain outcomes and related maternal and neonatal health indicators in women with uncomplicated pregnancy. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women only
What is being tested?
Structured Nutritional Education Program and Routine Prenatal Care With Nutritional Information Brochure
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
216 participants
Where
1 siteItaly
Study dates
13 Feb 2023to May 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Pregnant women with gestational age ≤ 17 weeks at enrollment
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Ability to provide written informed consent
  • Availability of a personal smartphone for study participation and data reporting
  • Availability of a personal weight scale for home monitoring

Who cannot join

  • Multiple pregnancy
  • Pre-existing hypertension
  • Pre-existing diabetes mellitus
  • Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m²
  • Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m²
  • History of psychiatric disorders
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
  • Celiac disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)
  • History of bariatric surgery
  • Language barrier preventing comprehension of study procedures or completion of assessments

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Italy1 site
  • SC Nutrizione Clinica e Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare ASL CN2, Italy

    Verduno, CN, 12060

Other trials in Italy

About this study

Official title: Longitudinal, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Controlled Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Nutritional Education Intervention in Uncomplicated Pregnancy

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a structured nutritional education intervention can improve gestational weight gain outcomes and related maternal and neonatal health indicators in women with uncomplicated pregnancy. The main question it aims to answer is whether a group-based nutritional education program increases the proportion of women achieving gestational weight gain within Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended ranges compared with standard prenatal care.

Researchers will compare a structured nutritional education intervention group to a control group receiving routine prenatal care and a nutritional information brochure to see if the intervention improves gestational weight gain within recommended ranges and affects maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Read more

Participants in the intervention group will:

  • Attend three weekly group-based nutritional education sessions delivered by trained healthcare professionals
  • Attend one practical cooking (show-cooking) session

Participants in the control group will:

  • Receive routine prenatal care and a written nutritional information brochure
  • Be followed from early pregnancy until 8 weeks postpartum

All participants (including control group) will:

  • Record body weight regularly throughout pregnancy using a telemedicine system
  • Complete questionnaires on dietary intake and quality of life at multiple time points
  • Undergo assessments of body composition and urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress during pregnancy
Read the detailed description

This study is based on the hypothesis that dietary behavior during pregnancy plays a key role in determining maternal metabolic adaptation and pregnancy outcomes, particularly through its influence on gestational weight gain regulation and oxidative stress balance.

Pregnancy is characterized by physiological metabolic and endocrine adaptations that increase susceptibility to both under- and over-nutrition. Inadequate dietary patterns may contribute to excessive gestational weight gain, which has been associated with increased risk of maternal and neonatal complications. Conversely, nutritional imbalance may also affect fetal development and long-term health trajectories. Despite existing recommendations for healthy eating during pregnancy, adherence in real-world settings remains suboptimal, suggesting the need for structured behavioral interventions.

In addition to metabolic effects, pregnancy is associated with a physiological increase in oxidative stress, which is involved in placental development and fetal growth regulation. However, excessive oxidative stress has been linked to adverse outcomes including impaired placental function and increased risk of metabolic and hypertensive disorders. Dietary patterns rich in antioxidants, such as those emphasizing high-quality nutrients and balanced macronutrient intake, may contribute to modulating oxidative stress pathways.

The intervention tested in this study is grounded in behavioral nutrition and health education principles, with the aim of improving dietary awareness, food selection skills, and long-term adherence to nutritional recommendations. The group-based format is designed to enhance engagement, facilitate peer interaction, and improve cost-effectiveness compared to individual counseling approaches.

The study employs a randomized controlled design to minimize selection bias and allow causal inference regarding the effect of the intervention. Stratified randomization is used to ensure balance across clinically relevant prognostic factors, including pre-pregnancy BMI and parity, which are known to influence gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes.

The longitudinal structure of the study allows evaluation of both short-term behavioral changes during pregnancy and medium-term maternal outcomes extending into the postpartum period. The integration of behavioral, anthropometric, and biochemical assessments enables a multidimensional evaluation of the intervention's impact.

Being tested
Structured Nutritional Education Program, Routine Prenatal Care With Nutritional Information Brochure
Keywords
Nutritional education in pregnancy, Group-based dietary intervention, Gestational weight gain, Uncomplicated pregnancy, Randomized controlled trial, Prenatal nutrition counseling, Maternal diet intervention, Dietary behavior change in pregnancy, Oxidative stress in pregnancy, Pregnancy weight management, Telemedicine weight monitoring, Pregnancy
Medical subject headings
Gestational Weight Gain

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Structured Nutritional Education ProgramBehavioural

    Participants receive a structured group-based nutritional education program delivered during pregnancy by trained healthcare professionals. The program includes three weekly group educational sessions and one practical cooking (show-cooking) session. The intervention focuses on improving knowledge and practical skills related to healthy dietary patterns during pregnancy, nutrient intake, and gestational weight management.

  • Routine Prenatal Care With Nutritional Information BrochureOther

    Participants receive routine prenatal care according to standard clinical practice. In addition, they are provided with a written nutritional information brochure containing general dietary recommendations for pregnancy. No structured educational sessions or group-based interventions are delivered in this arm.

Study groups in NCT07550309
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Structured Nutritional Education InterventionExperimentalParticipants receive a structured group-based nutritional education program delivered during pregnancy by trained healthcare professionals. The intervention includes group educational sessions focused on healthy dietary patterns during pregnancy, nutrient requirements, meal planning, and gestational weight management, plus one practical cooking (show-cooking) session. Participants are followed longitudinally through pregnancy and postpartum and complete the same study assessments as the control arm.
Receives: Behavioral: Structured Nutritional Education Program
Routine Care + BrochureActive comparatorParticipants receive routine prenatal care according to standard clinical practice. In addition, they are provided with a written nutritional information brochure containing general dietary recommendations for pregnancy. This arm serves as the control condition for comparison with the structured nutritional education intervention. Participants are followed longitudinally through pregnancy and postpartum and complete the same study assessments as the intervention arm.
Receives: Other: Routine Prenatal Care With Nutritional Information Brochure

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Proportion of Participants Achieving Gestational Weight Gain Within Institute of Medicine (IOM) Recommended Ranges

    This outcome assesses the proportion of participants whose total gestational weight gain falls within the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended ranges according to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) categories. Pre-pregnancy BMI is used to classify recommended weight gain ranges, and total gestational weight gain is evaluated at the end of pregnancy.

    Measured: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to delivery.

Secondary outcomes (8)
  1. Change in Urinary Oxidative Stress Biomarkers During Pregnancy

    This outcome evaluates changes in oxidative stress status during pregnancy by measuring urinary levels of isoprostanes and malondialdehyde, as well as total antioxidant capacity, using validated laboratory assays.

    Measured: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to 30-35 weeks of gestation.

  2. Change in Dietary Intake During Pregnancy

    This outcome assesses changes in dietary intake, including energy intake and macronutrient distribution (carbohydrates, proteins, fats including saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, and dietary fiber), measured using a validated food frequency questionnaire.

    Measured: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to 30-35 weeks of gestation.

  3. Change in Maternal Quality of Life During Pregnancy

    This outcome evaluates changes in maternal quality of life using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire and the number of self-reported healthy days.

    Measured: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to 30-35 weeks of gestation.

  4. Change in Maternal Body Composition During Pregnancy

    This outcome measures changes in maternal body composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis.

    Measured: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to 30-35 weeks of gestation.

  5. Gestational Weight Gain Rate Within Institute of Medicine Recommendations

    This outcome evaluates the weekly rate of gestational weight gain according to Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations based on pre-pregnancy BMI.

    Measured: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to delivery.

  6. Incidence of Maternal Pregnancy Complications

    This outcome assesses the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (including preeclampsia/eclampsia), and preterm birth.

    Measured: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to delivery.

  7. Incidence of Neonatal Complications

    This outcome evaluates neonatal outcomes including macrosomia and small-for-gestational-age infants.

    Measured: At delivery.

  8. Postpartum Maternal Weight Change

    This outcome assesses maternal weight change at 8 weeks postpartum compared with pre-pregnancy weight.

    Measured: From delivery to 8 weeks postpartum.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted24 Apr 2026
  2. Study start13 Feb 2023
  3. Primary completionApr 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMay 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Participants are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a structured nutritional education intervention group or a control group receiving routine prenatal care with provision of a nutritional information brochure. The study uses a parallel-group design, with each participant assigned to a single study arm and followed longitudinally throughout pregnancy and up to 8 weeks postpartum. Randomization is stratified according to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) categories and parity, using permuted blocks to ensure balance between groups.
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
216 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07550309
Sponsor's protocol ID
MaNu
Acronym
MaNu
Status last verified
Apr 2026
First submitted
20 Apr 2026
Last updated
24 Apr 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Undecided

Publications

  • Simon-Szabo Z, Fogarasi E, Nemes-Nagy E, Denes L, Croitoru M, Szabo B. Oxidative stress and peripartum outcomes (Review). Exp Ther Med. 2021 Jul;22(1):771. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10203. Epub 2021 May 17.

    PubMed 34055070
  • Santander Ballestin S, Gimenez Campos MI, Ballestin Ballestin J, Luesma Bartolome MJ. Is Supplementation with Micronutrients Still Necessary during Pregnancy? A Review. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 8;13(9):3134. doi: 10.3390/nu13093134.

    PubMed 34579011
  • Marshall NE, Abrams B, Barbour LA, Catalano P, Christian P, Friedman JE, Hay WW Jr, Hernandez TL, Krebs NF, Oken E, Purnell JQ, Roberts JM, Soltani H, Wallace J, Thornburg KL. The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 May;226(5):607-632. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.035. Epub 2021 Dec 27.

    PubMed 34968458
  • Hussain T, Murtaza G, Metwally E, Kalhoro DH, Kalhoro MS, Rahu BA, Sahito RGA, Yin Y, Yang H, Chughtai MI, Tan B. The Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Balance in Pregnancy. Mediators Inflamm. 2021 Sep 27;2021:9962860. doi: 10.1155/2021/9962860. eCollection 2021.

    PubMed 34616234
  • de Andrade Ramos BR, Witkin SS. The influence of oxidative stress and autophagy cross regulation on pregnancy outcome. Cell Stress Chaperones. 2016 Sep;21(5):755-62. doi: 10.1007/s12192-016-0715-3. Epub 2016 Jul 6.

    PubMed 27383757
  • Aleksandrova K, Koelman L, Rodrigues CE. Dietary patterns and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation: A systematic review of observational and intervention studies. Redox Biol. 2021 Jun;42:101869. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101869. Epub 2021 Jan 22.

    PubMed 33541846

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Structured Nutritional Education Program and Routine Prenatal Care With Nutritional Information Brochure in people with Pregnancy and Uncomplicated Pregnancy, run by Azienda Sanitaria Locale CN2 Alba-Bra at 1 site in Italy.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 11 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Proportion of Participants Achieving Gestational Weight Gain Within Institute of Medicine (IOM) Recommended Ranges (time frame: From enrollment (12-17 weeks of gestation) to delivery.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07550309, which also lists 6 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Apr 2026.

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