A recent study has revealed that a reduced-calorie diet could help pregnant women with gestational diabetes manage their condition without the need for insulin injections, potentially benefiting thousands of women annually.
Gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy, occurs when hormones interfere with the body’s ability to use insulin effectively. Left unmanaged, it can lead to complications for both mother and child, including high blood pressure (preeclampsia) and larger birth weights, which may result in birth injuries or cesarean sections. In England alone, about 30,000 women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes each year.
The study, known as the Dietary Intervention in Gestational Diabetes (DiGest) trial, involved 425 women with gestational diabetes and a body mass index (BMI) over 25. Conducted by researchers from the Universities of Leicester and Cambridge, the trial compared two different diet plans starting at 29 weeks of pregnancy.
Participants were given weekly diet boxes with either 2,000 calories (the recommended intake for most women) or 1,200 calories per day, with each diet consisting of 40% carbohydrates, 25% protein, and 35% fat. Although both groups lost an average of 3 kg in the final months of pregnancy, those on the reduced-calorie diet were less likely to require insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.
Researchers estimate that if this approach were implemented nationwide, it could help around 13,000 women with gestational diabetes avoid the need for insulin treatment.
Professor Claire Meek, a leading expert in chemical pathology and diabetes in pregnancy at the University of Leicester, emphasized the safety of the reduced-calorie diet for both mothers and their babies, stating that it could play a critical role in managing weight gain during pregnancy and reducing the risk of long-term health issues for both.
Additionally, the study found that weight loss was associated with lower blood sugar levels, improved blood pressure by the 36th week of pregnancy, and a nearly 50% reduction in the likelihood of delivering a large baby. The women who maintained weight loss post-pregnancy continued to show improved health outcomes three months after giving birth.
The findings, published in Nature Medicine, will be presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2025 in Glasgow. Dr. Elizabeth Robertson, director of research at Diabetes UK, which funded the trial, highlighted the potential long-term benefits of this approach, suggesting that it could help women experience healthier pregnancies and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
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