Unveiling Dietary Insight: Investigating Dietary Patterns among Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Gestational diabetes, a condition diagnosed during pregnancy, leads to carbohydrate intolerance in most affected women. However, this intolerance typically resolves postpartum. It is crucial for the diet of pregnant women with gestational diabetes to meet both their nutritional needs and those of their developing fetus. The aim of the study is to evaluate the knowledge of dietary patterns among pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) and to examine the association between their knowledge levels and socio-demographic variables. Methodology: This study employs a quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental design. Sixty participants with maternal diabetes mellitus in selected areas of Pune city, meeting specific inclusion criteria—pregnant women with GDM aged 18 to 45 who can read and write and are willing to participate—were selected. Exclusion criteria included conditions such as hypertension, thyroid disorders, anemia, mental illness, and chronic illnesses. Data were gathered using a self-structured questionnaire and convenience sampling. Result: The study investigated the correlation between knowledge levels on dietary patterns and socio-demographic factors among pregnant women with GDM. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant association between demographic variables and knowledge scores, except for one demographic variable where the chi-square value was less than the table value at a 0.05 significance level, leading to the rejection of the test hypothesis. For other variables, the p-value was greater than 0.05, indicating no significant association. Conclusion: The study concluded that most women with GDM have poor awareness of appropriate dietary patterns. This highlights the need for enhanced educational interventions to improve dietary knowledge among this group.