SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025
Behavior change techniques in pregnancy dietary interventions: a systematic review through the lens of the COM-B model.
Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Effective Implementation Strategies for Delivering Nutritional Interventions through the Health System to Prevent Malnutrition during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) · 2026Pooled it
- Does previous pregnancy experience improve folic acid supplementation uptake? A systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ open · 2026Pooled it
- Effect of the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation Behavior (COM-B) model of dietary behavior program on gestational weight gain in Thailand: A randomized controlled trial.Belitung nursing journal · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPregnancy presents a critical "teachable moment" for promoting healthy dietary behaviors, with significant implications for maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, achieving sustained dietary behavior change remains complex. This systematic review aimed to examine the effectiveness of dietary interventions during pregnancy and explore the underlying mechanisms of behavior change, focusing on behavior change techniques (BCTs) through the lens of the COM-B model.
methodsThis review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and employed a narrative synthesis approach. A comprehensive search of six electronic databases and grey literature sources was performed. Studies were eligible if they evaluated dietary interventions targeting pregnant women and reported outcomes related to eating behavior or gestational weight gain. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Intervention components were coded using the Behavior Change Technique (BCT) Taxonomy V1. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool for randomized controlled trials and ROBINS-I for non-randomized studies.
resultsThe review revealed mixed findings regarding the effectiveness of dietary interventions, largely due to substantial heterogeneity in intervention designs, delivery methods, and outcome measures. Commonly employed BCTs included goal setting, action planning, knowledge shaping, and feedback. Most interventions targeted psychological capability and reflective motivation, while fewer addressed social opportunity and environmental restructuring.
conclusionsCurrent dietary interventions predominantly focus on enhancing individual motivation and capabilities but often overlook social and environmental barriers. Future research should design interventions that incorporate broader COM-B dimensions, address health literacy disparities, and tailor strategies to participants' contextual needs. A deeper understanding of behavior change mechanisms may enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of dietary interventions during pregnancy.
trial registrationRegistered on PROSPERO database (CRD42022310860).
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.