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Animal fat, cholesterol increased risk for gestational diabetes
Bowers K. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95:446-453.
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Women who took in higher amounts of animal fat and cholesterol before pregnancy were at higher risk for gestational diabetes, according to researchers from the epidemiology branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
The prospective study included 13,475 women participating in the Nurses’ Health Study II who had a pregnancy between 1991 and 2001. Among these women, 860 reported incidence of gestational diabetes. Dietary intake was measured by a questionnaire that was given every 4 years.
Saturated fat intake was correlated with intakes of trans fat and monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fat intake was also correlated with intakes of trans fat and polyunsaturated fat. Diets with increasing intake of total fat, dietary cholesterol and animal fat were associated with higher BMI, increased meat and protein intake, decreased alcohol consumption and decreased cereal fiber intake.
In fully adjusted models, higher intakes of total fat, saturated fat and trans fat were not associated with gestational diabetes risk. After adjustment for nondietary covariates, total fat was associated with significantly increased risk for gestational diabetes.
Animal fat intake was significantly and positively associated with gestational diabetes risk. Those in the highest quintile of animal fat intake had approximately a 90% increased risk for gestational diabetes after adjustment for nondietary risk factors. Also, after adjustment for nondietary risk factors, higher intake of cholesterol was significantly associated with gestational diabetes.
“More research to confirm these findings and to decipher underlying molecular mechanisms is warranted,” the researchers wrote. “However, these findings underline the potential importance of considering the fatty acid content of diet in dietary recommendations for the prevention of gestational diabetes.”
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