Approach to gestational diabetes from the characterization of the pregestational diet as a risk factor.

Abstract

Introduction: Gestational diabetes (GD) is characterized by hiperglycemia that appears during pregnancy.

Objective: To characterize the food habits prior to the diagnosis of GD in a group of patients and assess as a modifiable risk factor related to the development of GD.

Methods: In this study, pregnant women with GD origin were selected according to criteria of nationality, age and history of GD. Data on body composition, family history, physical exercise and pregestational food consumption were collected, in order to assess the role of food as a modifiable risk factor related to the development of GD being carried out with a dietary interview collected by a dietitian.

Results: Our results reflected that the age body mass index (BMI) were and 36.7 ± 4.1 years and 26.9 ± 5.1 kg/m², respectively, 75% and of the studied females had a family history of diabetes and 32.5% practiced physical exercise.

Discussion: The food pattern followed was the Western diet with consumption of meat products and processed food, contrary to the Mediterranean dietary pattern characterized by a high consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish and unprocessed foods.

Conclusions: The dietary pattern prior to pregnancy is characterized by westernized diet away from the preventive dietary pattern. Diet is a modifiable factor and therefore it would be desirable to include early intervention on the dietary pattern in GD prevention programs in the population at risk.