Short Report –Consumption of multiple sources of protein is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus in the Chinese population

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a hyperglycemic state during pregnancy that results in disruptions of insulin sensitivity and secretion. It affects 7% of all pregnancies and lead to adverse maternal and offspring outcomes. GDM has many risk factors, such as ethnicity special, hereditary. However Nutritional factors offer key strategies against GDM, but this is less characterized for the Chinese population. Methods A case control study of GDM pregnant women (n=49, 29.88±3.92 years of age) and healthy pregnant women (n=77, 27.63±4.83 years of age) from 1 st Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were studied. Diagnosis was made using oral glucose tolerance test. Dietary data were collected using food frequency questionnaires. Data for use of dietary supplements, occupation, education, income, meal expenditure and smoking history were also recorded. Results No differences were found between GDM and control subjects for their age, education, occupation, monthly income, grocery expenditure and smoking (p>0.05). GDM subjects were associated with higher quantities of dairy products (p<0.05) and seafood (p<0.01) intake. There were also higher number of GDM subjects using protein powder supplementation (p<0.05). Conclusions Dietary recommendation guidelines for pregnant Chinese women should consider possible risks with excessive consumption of dairy products, seafood and protein powder. They should also assess the quality of the nutrition factor, other dietary interactions and their nutritional status further to minimize adverse outcomes caused by GDM.