Association between a medical nutrition therapy program and eating behavior with gestational weight gain in women with diabetes

Relation of preconception eating behaviours to dietary pattern trajectories and gestational weight gain from preconception to late pregnancy

Studies examining preconception eating behaviours with longitudinal dietary patterns from preconception to late pregnancy as well as gestational weight gain (GWG) are limited. We derived dietary pattern trajectories from preconception to late-pregnancy, and related preconception eating behaviours to these trajectories and GWG. Preconception eating behaviours were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire measuring cognitive restraint (CR) - conscious restriction of food intake, emotional eating (EE) - overeating in response to negative emotions, and uncontrolled eating (UE) - overeating with a feeling of lack of control. Dietary intakes were measured at preconception, 20-21 and 34-36 weeks' gestation with food frequency questionnaires. Dietary patterns were determined using factor analysis, and trajectories derived using group-based trajectory modelling. Inadequate and excessive GWG were defined according to Institute of Medicine guidelines based on weights at preconception and the last antenatal visit (median: 38 weeks' gestation). Two dietary patterns were derived: 'Fast Food, Fried Snacks and Desserts (FFD)' and 'Soup, Fish and Vegetables (SFV)'. Adherence trajectories from preconception to late-pregnancy were characterised as consistently high ("stable-high") and low ("stable-low"). Women with higher UE scores had higher odds of being in the "stable-high" trajectory (n = 34) of the FFD pattern [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.25, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.03, 1.51], compared to "stable-low" (n = 260). Percentages of women with inadequate, adequate or excessive GWG were 21.7% (n = 70), 25.8% (n = 83), and 52.5% (n = 169), respectively; women with higher EE scores had a higher likelihood of excessive GWG [Relative Risk Ratio (RRR): 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.80], but this association was attenuated after adjusting for preconception body mass index. Eating behaviour interventions to improve dietary patterns among pregnant women may need to start as early as preconception, incorporating strategies to manage UE.

Searching for Utopia, the Challenge of Standardized Medical Nutrition Therapy Prescription in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Management: A Critical Review

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy disorder and the incidence is increasing worldwide. GDM is associated with adverse maternal outcomes which may be reduced with proper management. Lifestyle modification in the form of medical nutrition therapy and physical activity, as well as self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, is the cornerstone of GDM management. Inevitably, the search for the "ultimate" diet prescription has been ongoing. Identifying the amount and type of carbohydrate to maintain blood glucose levels below targets while balancing the nutritional requirements of pregnancy and achieving gestational weight gain within recommendations is challenging. Recent developments in the area of the gut microbiota and its impact on glycemic response add another layer of complexity to the success of medical nutrition therapy. This review critically explores the challenges to dietary prescription for GDM and why utopia may never be found.

Eating behaviors in relation to gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: A systematic review

Preventing obesity is of utmost public health importance. This paper systematically reviews associations between eating behaviors and peripartum weight change. This knowledge is crucial in the development of interventions that reduce long-term obesity, often triggered and boosted in the peripartum. Through MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science, we identified 20 studies that fulfilled inclusion criteria: studies on food cravings, disinhibition, restrained, external, emotional, uncontrolled, intuitive, or mindful eating in relation to gestational or postpartum weight among adult women. Higher gestational weight gain was associated with lower intuitive eating (in 3/3 studies) and higher restrained eating (in 4/11 studies), external eating (in 2/2 studies), emotional eating (in 3/4 studies), food cravings (in 3/3 studies), and disinhibition (in 1/3 studies). No association with uncontrolled eating was found (in one study). No studies on mindful eating and gestational weight were identified. Higher postpartum weight loss was associated with higher restrained (in 2/4 studies) and intuitive eating (in 1/1 study). No associations between postpartum weight and food cravings, disinhibition, and mindful eating were found. No studies on external, emotional and uncontrolled eating, and postpartum weight were identified. Concluding, certain eating behaviors might be related to peripartum weight change.