title: Nutrient intake of pregnant women at high risk of gestational diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) has been increasing along with the obesity pandemic. It is associated with pregnancy complications and a risk of type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study nutrient intake among pregnant Finnish women at increased risk of GDM due to obesity or a history of GDM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Food records from obese women or women with GDM history (n=394) were examined at baseline (≤20 weeks of pregnancy) of the Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pregnant women had a mean fat intake of 33 en% (SD 7), saturated fatty acids (SFA) 12 en% (SD 3), and carbohydrate 46 en% (SD 6). Sucrose intake among pregnant women with GDM history was 7 en% (SD 3), which was different from the intake of the other pregnant women, 10 en% (SD 4) (p<0.001). Median intakes of folate and vitamins A and D provided by food sources were below the Finnish national nutrition recommendation, but, excluding vitamin A, supplements raised the total intake to the recommended level. The frequency of use of dietary supplements among pregnant women was 77%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed excessive intake of SFA and low intake of carbohydrates among women at high risk of GDM may further increase their risk of GDM. A GDM history, however, seems to reduce sucrose intake in a future pregnancy. Pregnant women at high risk of GDM seem to have insufficient intakes of vitamin D and folate from food and thus need supplementation, which most of them already take.
authors.affiliation: Group Administration, Research and Development, The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, Helsinki, Finland; jelena.meinila@helsinki.fi.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meinilä
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Saila B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Koivusalo
authors.affiliation: Folkhälsan Research Centre, Helsingfors Universitet, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valkama
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Kristiina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rönö
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Maijaliisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Erkkola
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kautiainen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, South-Karelia Central Hospital, Lappeenranta, Finland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stach-Lempinen
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Johan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Eriksson
keywords: diabetes; diet; maternal nutrition; nutrition; obesity; pregnancy