Abstract
BackgroundDiet therapy is the cornerstone for the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Carbohydrate is the primary nutrient affecting postprandial blood glucose levels. Hence, knowledge of food containing carbohydrates can assist women with GDM optimize glycemic control. Despite that, there is a paucity of research on carbohydrate-related knowledge of women with GDM. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the highest prevalence of diabetes (19.2%) in the world. This study compared diet and knowledge of carbohydrate-containing foods among pregnant women with and without GDM in the UAE.MethodsThe sample consisted of multi-ethnic women with GDM (n = 94) and a control group of healthy pregnant women (n = 90) attending prenatal clinics in three hospitals in Al Ain, UAE. Data were collected using a questionnaire and a 24-hour recall. Knowledge of food sources of carbohydrate, dietary patterns, and nutrient intakes of the two groups were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the mean knowledge score of food sources of carbohydrate between women with GDM and that of pregnant women without GDM. Similarly, there were no significant differences in energy and nutrient intakes between the two groups with the exception of percent energy from protein. Women with GDM reported significantly lower intake of fruits and fruit juices (P = 0.012) and higher consumption of milk and yogurt (P = 0.004) compared to that of women without GDM. Twenty-two percent of women with GDM indicated they never visited a dietitian for counseling while 65% reported they visited a dietitian only once or twice during the pregnancy. Predictors of carbohydrate knowledge score were perceived knowledge of diet and GDM and parity among women with GDM and parity and educational level among those without GDM.ConclusionThe results of the study highlight the urgent need to provide nutrition education for women with GDM in the UAE.
Highlights
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy [1,2]
27% of the women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) had less than high school education compared to 16% of those without GDM
48% of the women with GDM had a prior history of GDM, 40% had family history of GDM, and two-thirds of them had a family history for type 2 DM
Summary
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy [1,2]. Risk factors for the development of GDM include advanced maternal age, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity before pregnancy, previous macrosomic infant (birth weight .4000 g), and excess maternal weight gain in current pregnancy [3]. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes in women with history of GDM may vary from 17 to 63% within 5–16 years after pregnancy, depending on ethnicity and the method used for screening [8,9]. Knowledge of food containing carbohydrates can assist women with GDM optimize glycemic control.
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