Mediterranean‐Style Diet and Risk of Preeclampsia by Race in the Boston Birth Cohort

Abstract

Background Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Given its large public health burden, there is a need to identify modifiable factors that can be targeted for preeclampsia prevention. In this study, we examined whether a Mediterranean‐style diet is protective for preeclampsia in a large cohort of racially and ethnically diverse, urban, low‐income women. Methods and Results We used data from the Boston Birth Cohort. Maternal sociodemographic and dietary data were obtained via interview and food frequency questionnaire within 24 to 72 hours postpartum, respectively. Additional clinical information, including physician diagnoses of preexisting conditions and preeclampsia, were extracted from medical records. We derived a Mediterranean‐style diet score from the food frequency questionnaire and performed logistic regression to examine the association of the Mediterranean‐style diet score with preeclampsia. Of 8507 women in the sample, 848 developed preeclampsia. 47% were Black, 28% were Hispanic, and the remaining were White/Other. After multivariable adjustment, greatest adherence with MSD was associated with lower preeclampsia odds (adjusted odds ratio comparing tertile 3 to tertile 1, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64–0.96). A subgroup analysis of Black women demonstrated a similar benefit with an adjusted odds ratio comparing tertile 3 to tertile 1 of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.76–0.96). Conclusions Self‐report of higher adherence to a Mediterranean‐style diet is associated with lower preeclampsia odds, and benefit of this diet is present among Black women as well.

Barriers and Facilitators Associated with the Adoption of and Adherence to a Mediterranean Style Diet in Adults: A Systematic Review of Published Observational and Qualitative Studies

“…For instance, the PREDIMED study showed that a MedDiet supplemented with nuts could exert a beneficial effect on CVD risk and several secondary outcomes [ 5 ]. Studies during pregnancy reveal that greater adherence to a MedDiet may protect against offspring cardiometabolic risk [ 6 ], and prospective studies among pregnant women, showed that low MedDiet adherence was associated with higher blood pressure and preeclampsia risk [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Improving Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Early Pregnancy Using a Clinical Decision Support System; A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

“…It is well established that greater adherence to the MD during gestation is beneficial for the health of both the mother and the offspring [ 15 ]. MD is considered a healthy eating pattern that provides the nutritional requirements for the prevention of obstetric pathologies, such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), overweight, complications of childbirth, and preeclampsia [ 33 , 34 ]. Several CDSSs have been used during pregnancy either for the prediction of pregnancy outcomes or for improving medical care quality and improving adherence to clinical practices and delivery outcomes [ 35 ].…”

Association of a Mediterranean Diet Pattern With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among US Women

“…7,30 Our findings are also consistent with the few prior observational studies demonstrating that more favorable diet quality around the time of conception and throughout pregnancy is associated with lower risk of APOs. 5,[13][14][15]31 However, only 3 of these studies evaluated an aMed diet pattern in association with APOs. [13][14][15] In 1 study of 1076 women from 10 Mediterranean countries, a Mediterranean pattern of eating was associated with lower incidence of gestational diabetes (8% vs 12% when comparing the highest vs lowest tertiles).…”