Dietary intake of women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been associated with significant short- and long-term unfavourable health effects for both the mother and fetus, and lifestyle advise including dietary modification is of utmost importance. However, dietary intake among women with a history of GDM is uncertain. This study described the dietary intake of women with a history of GDM. This study recruited women with a history of GDM (n = 157) from Klinik Kesihatan Seri Kembangan, Selangor and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor. Dietary intake was assessed using a three-day 24-hour dietary recall. The mean age of the respondents was 34.7 ± 5.6 years, with a majority being of Malay ethnicity (84.1%). The mean energy intake of the respondents was 1387 ± 385 kcal/day, with the mean carbohydrate and protein intakes within the recommended nutrient intakes (RNI) while fat intake exceeded the RNI. Dietary intake among women with a history of GDM reported herein is not optimal and may set out as a guide in determining the ideal diet for this population for early preventive intervention measures to be delivered in these high-risk individuals.