title: Maternal Dietary Patterns are Associated with Lower Levels of Cardiometabolic Markers during Pregnancy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elevated levels of cardiometabolic markers are characteristic of normal pregnancy, however, insulin resistance and increased glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels can adversely influence maternal and child health. Diet is a modifiable behaviour that could have significant impact on maternal cardiometabolic levels during pregnancy. We investigated the association between dietary patterns and cardiometabolic markers (glucose, insulin, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, and cholesterol) during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition prospective cohort study (2000-05) was used (n = 513). Diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived using latent class analysis (LCA) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Linear regression was used to examine the dietary patterns-cardiometabolic markers association during pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three dietary patterns evolved from the LCA characterised by high intakes of: (1) hamburgers, hot dogs, bacon, French fries, fried chicken, white bread, and soft drinks; (2) some vegetables, fruit juice, refined grains, mixed dishes, processed meat, and empty calorie foods; and (3) fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, breakfast bars, and water. After adjustment for potential confounders including prepregnancy body mass index, a diet consistent with Latent Class 3 was negatively associated with maternal insulin (μU/mL: β = -0.12; 95% CI -0.23, -0.01) and HOMA-IR (β = -0.13; 95% CI -0.25, -0.00). Additionally, DASH scores within Tertile 3 (higher dietary quality) were also negatively associated with maternal triglycerides (mg/dL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study findings suggest an association between maternal dietary patterns and several cardiometabolic markers during pregnancy.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Chantel L
authors: CL
authors: Martin
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.|Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Siega-Riz
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Sotres-Alvarez
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Whitney R
authors: WR
authors: Robinson
authors: Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Julie L
authors: JL
authors: Daniels
authors: Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Eliana M
authors: EM
authors: Perrin
authors: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC.
authors: Alison M
authors: AM
authors: Stuebe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D037841:Pregnant People; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet; cardiometabolic health; dietary patterns; glucose; insulin; latent class analysis; lipids; pregnancy