Date of Conferral
4-1-2025
Date of Award
April 2025
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Health
Advisor
Marshae McNeal
Abstract
According to recent studies, disparities in the United States indicated a prevalence of adverse outcomes associated with maternal nutrition and perinatal mental health among women facing socioeconomic challenges. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between maternal nutrition, perinatal mental health, and birth outcomes with a focus on women facing socioeconomic challenges. The theoretical framework that guided this study was the socioecological model. The research design involved using secondary data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System and employing multiple regression analysis. Key findings revealed significant associations between maternal nutrition, perinatal mental health, and birth outcomes. Poor maternal nutrition and adverse mental health were linked to unfavorable birth outcomes, including lower birth weight and higher rates of preterm birth, suggesting that inadequate nutritional intake and untreated mental health conditions during pregnancy could exacerbate health disparities among socioeconomically disadvantaged women. The findings may inform targeted interventions and policies to improve the health of socioeconomically disadvantaged women and their babies, thereby reducing disparities and promoting well-being for vulnerable populations.
Recommended Citation
Dudley, Kimberly Terrisa Ieasha, "The Association Between Maternal Nutrition, Perinatal Mental Health, and Birth Outcomes in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Women" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17523.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17523
