Lordelo

Researchers are investigating the effects of a Mediterranean Diet educational program on pregnant women who have obesity, hypertension, and/or diabetes. The study focuses on improving nutrition knowledge to prevent negative postnatal outcomes. It aims to assess how following the Mediterranean Diet affects heart health, blood sugar and blood pressure control, weight recovery after pregnancy, and changes in gut bacteria. The study also explores the diet's impact on exclusive breastfeeding and the timing of introducing other foods to infants. Participants are divided into two groups: one receives the Mediterranean Diet education along with standard nutritional care, and the other receives only the standard nutritional care offered by hospital nutritionists. The intervention includes a face-to-face session with a detailed 13-page guide and monthly newsletters sent by email for five months. All participants are pregnant women with at least one risk factor such as obesity, diabetes, or hypertension, ensuring they receive the usual nutritional support from the Portuguese National Health System. Throughout the study, researchers monitor participants at the third trimester and then at 1, 6, and 12 months after giving birth. They evaluate how well the mothers adhere to the Mediterranean Diet and assess cardiometabolic outcomes like heart remodeling, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The study also tracks infant feeding practices and collects data to develop an effective nutritional education tool for maternal health improvement.