Maternal undernutrition in rural Ethiopia remains highly prevalent at 38 percent. This thesis identifies key drivers including gender inequality, poor nutritional counseling, and cultural food taboos. Using human-centered design, a “couples forum” intervention was developed and validated, showing strong feasibility and cultural acceptability as a promising community-based solution.

Tooth decay and unhealthy growth in young children share a common risk factor: diet. This research explores integrating dietitians into dental clinics to provide timely, realistic dietary support. By embedding nutrition expertise at routine dental visits, the model aims to improve prevention, reduce inequalities, and support families before problems escalate.