Nutritional knowledge and gestational diabetes mellitus: An underestimated link?

The role of nutritional knowledge in the development of gestational diabetes (GDM) has not yet been fully explored. This study aimed to assess the nutritional knowledge of pregnant women and evaluate its association with GDM.

This observational study included 278 pregnant women (122 with GDM and 156 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT)) attending a diabetes clinic in Italy. Nutritional knowledge was assessed using the Italian-validated Moynihan questionnaire, a higher score (>22.5) indicates poorer knowledge. Logistic regression was used to analyse associations with GDM. Women with GDM had significantly lower nutritional knowledge than those with NGT (21.9 ± 2.9 vs. 20.1 ± 2.4, p < 0.001). The prevalence of GDM was higher in women with poorer knowledge than in those with better knowledge (70.0 % vs. 35.1 %, p < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that history of GDM (odds ratio (OR) 3.95; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.60-9.75; p = 0.003), family history of diabetes mellitus (OR 2.77; 95 % CI: 1.53-5.01; p = 0.001), alcohol consumption during pregnancy (OR 3.14; 95 % CI: 1.17-8.45; p = 0.023), lower educational level (OR 2.17; 95 % CI: 1.28-3.69; p = 0.004), and a knowledge score >22.5 (OR 4.32; 95 % CI: 2.40-7.75; p < 0.001) were associated with GDM. After adjusting for confounders, poor nutritional knowledge remained independently associated with GDM (OR 5.59; 95 % CI: 2.61-11.95; p < 0.001).

Poor nutritional knowledge is independently associated with GDM, suggesting it may contribute to its risk.