Epidemiology of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Preventive Significance of Dietary Pattern

Abstract

Pregnancy is the process of adapting to physiological and psychological changes. Many metabolic changes are observed during this adaptation. Insulin sensitivity is one of them; its purpose is to supply more glucose to the fetus. For many reasons, insulin sensitivity can turn into gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A woman’s pre-pregnancy weight and eating habits are active elements that play a role in the development of GDM. Studies have reported that the types of food consumed before and during pregnancy may alter the risk of GDM. Eating habits can vary ethnically, geographically, economically, and personally. Even though there is no specific recommended diet type to reduce the risk of GDM, the meeting point of researchers is a diet close to the “Mediterranean Diet Type”. This is low in saturated fat, additive sugar, and processed foods, abundant in polyphenols, and high in fiber with a low glycemic index diet. It requires adequate vegetables, fruits, olives, nuts, animal protein, and micronutrients. Gaining appropriate weight with a suitable diet type provides healthy pregnancy outcomes and offspring. © 2024 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.