Padrão alimentar de gestantes e sua relação com diabetes

Abstract

Diet plays an essential role in the health of women who intend to become pregnant or who are already pregnant. Dietary patterns characterized by high consumption of processed foods, generally rich in fats and sugars, together with low intake of fruits, vegetables and whole foods, contribute to excessive weight gain, which increases the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate, in the scientific literature, recent studies on the relationship between dietary patterns adopted by women during pregnancy and the development of GDM. The research was carried out in BVS, Pubmed and SciElO databases with a time frame from 2014 to 2024. The results indicate that dietary patterns during pregnancy have a significant impact on the risk of GDM. Dietary patterns that predominate ultra-processed foods, refined sugars, saturated fats and low fiber intake are strongly associated with an increased risk of GDM, due to their detrimental effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In contrast, dietary patterns that included a diversity of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, such as the Mediterranean diet, demonstrated protective effects, favoring glycemic control and healthy weight gain during pregnancy. These findings reinforce the importance of appropriate nutritional interventions for pregnant women, aiming to promote maternal health and prevent metabolic complications that may affect the fetus and the long-term development of the child.