Nutritional Interventions and Lifestyle Changing in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention: A Narrative Review

Corina Zugravu, Andreea Petra, Valeria-Anca Pietroșel, Bianca-Margareta Mihai, Doina-Andrada Mihai (), Roxana-Elena Bohîlțea () and Monica Tarcea
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Corina Zugravu: Department of Fundamental Sciences, Faculty of Midwifery and Nursing, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Carol Davila, 37 Dionisie Lupu St., 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Andreea Petra: Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Prof. Dr. N. C. Paulescu” National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
Valeria-Anca Pietroșel: Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Prof. Dr. N. C. Paulescu” National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
Bianca-Margareta Mihai: Doctoral School, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu St., 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Doina-Andrada Mihai: Department of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Prof. Dr. N. C. Paulescu” National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
Roxana-Elena Bohîlțea: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bld. Eroii Sanitari No. 8, 050471 Bucharest, Romania
Monica Tarcea: Department of Community Nutrition and Food Safety, “G. E. Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology from Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-23

Abstract: Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common pregnancy complication, and its prevalence is increasing, as obesity is more prevalent in women at reproductive age. Food choices and patterns that might reduce incidence are of great importance, and the present review aims to offer a perspective on different types of nutritional interventions in GDM prevention. Methods: A literature review in the PubMed database was conducted in order to identify full-text, English, randomized control trials and observational clinical studies, published in the last 10 years, that are the most relevant to emphasize the usefulness of nutritional and lifestyle interventions in prevention of GDM. Results and discussions: Twenty-two articles met the inclusion criteria and were relevant for the search. Their outcomes were reported and analyzed. Dietary interventions were very heterogeneous, including general counselling of healthier eating patterns, recommendations to follow a Mediterranean dietary pattern or to choose low-glycemic-index foods, and dietary advice focusing on increasing consumption of some food groups or vitamin D or probiotics supplementations. Conclusions: Among these interventions, a moderate-intensity lifestyle intervention optimizing participants’ consumption of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits; portion control; lowering intake of ultra-processed food and simple sugars; and Mediterranean diet intervention were the most successful in reducing GDM incidence.

Keywords: gestational diabetes mellitus; food choices; healthy eating pattern; Mediterranean diet; vitamin D; probiotics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1069-:d:1027292

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