Syafaatun Nahdyah, Mardiana Ahmad, Veni Hadju, Suryani As'ad, Jumrah

Giving Moringa Soy Milk on Weight Gain and Upper Arm Circumference of Pregnant Women

Introduction

Giving moringa soy milk on weight gain and upper arm circumference of pregnant women. Discover how moringa soy milk can improve weight gain and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) in pregnant women. This study highlights its effectiveness in preventing Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) due to its rich nutritional content.

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaves are a potential source of micronutrients and bioactive compounds in functional foods and nutraceuticals. This study aims to determine the effect of moringa soy milk on pregnant women’s weight gain and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as indicators of energy and protein nutritional status. This quasi-experimental study was conducted from February to April 2025 in the working area of the Jatibaru Community Health Center, Bima City. It was conducted on 30 pregnant women in their second to third trimesters with a MUAC <23.5 cm. Respondents were divided into two groups: the intervention group accepting 250 ml/day of moringa soy milk for 28 days, and the control group accepting local supplementary food. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test and chi-square tests. The results showed an increase in body weight of 2.00 kg and MUAC of 0.35 cm in the intervention group (p<0.05), higher than in the control group. The content of vegetable protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins in moringa soy milk plays a role in improving the nutritional status of pregnant women. These findings suggest that moringa soy milk may be an effective and affordable dietary intervention to prevent Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) in pregnant women.

Review

This study addresses a critical public health issue by investigating the potential of moringa soy milk as an intervention to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women, specifically targeting weight gain and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) to combat Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED). Given that *Moringa oleifera* is recognized for its rich micronutrient profile, combining it with soy milk presents an intriguing and potentially accessible dietary solution, particularly for vulnerable populations. The clear objective of determining the effect of this fortified beverage on key indicators of maternal nutrition is well-articulated and relevant to current global health priorities. The research employed a quasi-experimental design, conducted over 28 days with 30 pregnant women in their second to third trimesters who had a MUAC below 23.5 cm, indicative of undernutrition. The intervention group received 250 ml/day of moringa soy milk, while the control group received local supplementary food. The findings are compelling, showing a significant increase in body weight (2.00 kg) and MUAC (0.35 cm) in the intervention group compared to the control, with statistically significant results (p<0.05). The authors rightly attribute these positive outcomes to the rich content of vegetable protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins in the moringa soy milk, suggesting it acts as an effective dietary intervention to prevent CED. While the findings are promising and highlight a potential affordable intervention, there are several aspects to consider for future research. The quasi-experimental design, though practical for community-based studies, inherently carries a higher risk of bias compared to a randomized controlled trial. The relatively small sample size (n=30) and the short duration of the intervention (28 days) may limit the generalizability and long-term impact assessment of the intervention. Furthermore, the description of the control group's "local supplementary food" is quite vague, making it difficult to precisely compare the nutritional input between groups. Future studies would benefit from a larger, randomized controlled design, a longer intervention period, more detailed characterization of the control intervention, and perhaps the inclusion of biochemical markers to corroborate the improvements in nutritional status. Despite these methodological considerations, the study provides valuable preliminary evidence supporting moringa soy milk as a viable and effective strategy for improving maternal nutrition.

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