Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is also defined as carbohydrate intolerance of varying severity, detected for the first time in pregnancy. About 80% of the women with gestational diabetes can be treated with Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and only 20% need additional therapy. Stress will be a major factor in changes in food intake. Many researchers have been done in regards to correlation between food intake and stress factors in GDM mothers, which gave mixed results. The lack of research in the correlation between stress, nutrient intake and weight gain motivated the present study.
To understand the effect of stress on nutrient intake and weight gain.
Correlation study recruited 120 GDM subjects. PSS10 scalwas administered to assess stress level during 1st visit (24–28 weeks) and was categorized into three groups based on their scores. Weight gain, 24 hour dietary recall was used to assess the nutrient intake during 1st (24–28 weeks) and 2nd visit (32-36weeks).
Energy and protein intake were positively correlated with stress scores and statistically significant. Weight gain was negatively correlated with stress scores and not significant. As the stress score increased, nutrient intake also increased.
Though an increase in stress scores and nutrient intake was observed, its influence was not seen in maternal weight gain during pregnancy in GDM mothers.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Perceived Stress Scale, Dietary Intake
