Effective Nutrition Messaging in Maternal Health From Research to Real-World

When I started my PhD journey, looking into vitamin B12 levels in women of childbearing age, I thought most of my time would be spent crunching numbers and reading scientific papers. But along the way, I’ve learned something truly important: nutrition messaging in maternal health matters just as much as the science itself.

That lesson has really come to life during my placement at HRS Communications. I’ve seen how translating complicated nutrition science into everyday language can improve public health in ways that research alone cannot. 

The Hidden Risks of Maternal Micronutrient Deficiency

Pregnancy and breastfeeding put extra demands on a woman’s body. For years, public health messages have focused on the importance of folate (folic acid) to prevent birth defects. But my research found another important, often overlooked, nutrient: vitamin B12.

Vitamin B12 is only found in animal-based foods or fortified products. It’s not only a concern for women who avoid animal products, we’ve discovered that women who eat meat can also have low B12 levels. In fact, in my study (using national survey data), low B12 levels were surprisingly common among all women of childbearing age, regardless of dietary preferences. 

Vitamin B12 is crucial for a baby’s brain development and for making healthy red blood cells. If a mother doesn’t get enough B12 during pregnancy, it can lead to serious problems for her and her baby. The tricky part is that B12 deficiency can be overshadowed if a woman is getting lots of folate. This is especially relevant as the UK prepares to add folic acid to more foods (UK folic acid fortification programme starting in 2026). This means some women might not realise they’re low in B12 until symptoms become serious. 

Why Effective Nutrition Messaging in Maternal Health Matters

So why don’t more people know about this? 

Part of the problem is that nutrition research often stays in academic journals. It’s written in technical language that’s hard for most people to access and understand. Meanwhile, public health campaigns usually focus on big-picture nutrition messaging, like the infamous “5-a-day” campaign.

Such large scale campaigns can understandably leave out the finer yet important details, like the need to monitor B12 as well as folate and other important micronutrients, for optimal maternal health.

Throughout my placement, I’ve seen how powerful it can be to bridge this gap. HRS excels at translating the latest science into clear, actionable messages for both healthcare professionals and the public. Whether it’s through engaging infographics, myth-busting social media posts, or evidence-based toolkits for clinicians, effective communication can turn research findings into real-world impact. 

Powerful Collaboration in Nutrition Messaging for Maternal Health

One of the most rewarding aspects of my HRS placement is seeing how academia and industry work together to shape public understanding.

Collaborating with industry, policymakers, and health professionals, nutrition messages becoming increasingly scientifically accurate and practically relevant. Working with nutrition brands to improve the labelling and formulation of fortified foods, for example, can help make it easier for women to get the nutrients they need most throughout their childbearing years. 

Placements in industry and especially communications, are invaluable for early-career researchers. They offer a chance to step outside the academic bubble, develop practical communication skills, and gain confidence in translating science for different audiences.

They provide hands-on experience in translating complex science into clear, practical nutrition messaging for both health professionals and the public. Through mentoring, training, and hands on projects, HRS helps new nutrition professionals build confidence, develop strong communication skills, and make a real impact beyond academia.

This experience has shown me just how powerful effective communication can be in turning research into meaningful action. Thanks to the support from HRS, I’ve developed skills in turning complex research into something practical and relatable.

The Future of Nutrition Messaging in Maternal Health

As we look to the future, making nutrition messaging in maternal health accessible, understandable and practical is more important than ever.

My hope is that by sharing research in ways that resonate with real people, whether they’re mothers-to-be, healthcare professionals, or policymakers, we can close the gap between what we know and what we do.

It’s not just about the science we uncover, but how we communicate it. That’s what transforms research into real-world impact and why effective nutrition messaging in maternal health truly matters.

Written by Ali Niklewicz (ANutr), PhD Researcher
Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Surrey