Dietary intervention strategies for ethnic Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

AimEthnic Chinese women are one of the populations at high risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) internationally. This systematic review aimed to determine which dietary intervention strategies were found to be effective in improving glycaemic control and pregnancy outcomes among ethnic Chinese women with GDM.MethodsThe review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016043585). Eight English and four Chinese language databases were searched for randomised controlled trials and cohort studies of dietary intervention among ethnic Chinese women with GDM. Review Manager 5.3 and GRADE criteria were used in meta‐analysis and assessment of quality of evidence.ResultsIncluded studies comprised 3944 women in 29 eligible studies. Compared to standard treatment, low glycaemic index (GI) diets, low glycaemic load (GL) diets and fibre‐enriched diets were associated with a reduction in fasting plasma glucose, 2‐hour plasma glucose and HbA1c, and improved neonatal outcomes. Low GL diets were associated with reduced caesarean section risk.ConclusionsIn ethnic Chinese women with GDM, low GI diets, low GL diets and fibre‐enriched diets were associated with improved glycaemic control and pregnancy outcomes. Given the lack of direct comparison of these three diets, future direct comparison trials are necessary to determine optimal dietary intervention strategies.

The Role of Dietary Carbohydrates in Gestational Diabetes

“…The most current Cochrane analysis [63] did not show significant maternal and/or infant benefits; in contrast, Yamamoto et al [64] focused their primary analysis on maternal glycemic outcomes and concluded that interventions that improved maternal glycemic control would improve infant birthweight outcomes. In agreement was another meta-analysis by Wan et al [65] who focused their meta-analysis on dietary intervention strategies to include all Chinese-language studies. Their conclusion was that CHO-modified diets were associated with improved glycemic control and infant birth outcomes in ethnic Chinese women with GDM.…”

Cultural Adaptation, Validation, and Primary Application of a Questionnaire to Assess Intentions to Eat Low-Glycemic Index Foods among Rural Chinese Women

“…In particular, consuming a diet based on low-glycemic index (GI) foods results in better glycemic control than following conventional healthy dietary recommendations [ 8 , 9 ]. A meta-analysis conducted in 2019 that included 29 studies compared different dietary strategies for glycemic control among Chinese women with GDM [ 10 ]. Six of them compared a low-GI diet with standard dietary interventions and found that low-GI diets were associated with improved glycemic control.…”

Evidence‐based practice in nutrition and dietetics: Translating evidence into practice

“…Dietary intervention strategies for ethnic Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus is explored in a systematic review and meta-analysis of 29 studies (n = 3944). 30 Low glycaemic index, low glycaemic load and fibre-enriched diets were associated with improved glycaemic control and pregnancy outcomes. Further research directly comparing these intervention strategies is required.…”

“…From 10 randomised controlled trials of 1530 participants, dietetic counselling was effective for lowering tryglycerides and at least as effective as usual or minimal care for improving cholesterol. Dietary intervention strategies for ethnic Chinese women with gestational diabetes mellitus is explored in a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 29 studies (n = 3944) . Low glycaemic index, low glycaemic load and fibre‐enriched diets were associated with improved glycaemic control and pregnancy outcomes.…”