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Maternal nutrition, infants and children

The effect of DASH diet on pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 68, pages 490–495 (2014)Cite this article

Subjects

04 May 2020 Editor's Note: The Co-Editors-in-Chief are currently investigating this article as concerns have been raised about integrity of the clinical trial reported here. There is also an ongoing investigation by the Iranian National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Researches. Further editorial action will be taken as appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The current study was performed to investigate the effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Subjects/Methods:

This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed among 52 women diagnosed with GDM. Participants were randomly assigned to consume either the control (n=26) or the DASH diet (n=26) for 4 weeks. The control diet was designed to contain 45–55% carbohydrates, 15–20% protein and 25–30% total fat. The DASH diet was rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products, and contained lower amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol and refined grains with a total of 2400 mg/day sodium. The numbers of women who commenced insulin therapy after dietary intervention, the mode of delivery and prevalence of polyhydramnios were assessed. The length, weight and head circumference of infants were measured during the first 24 h after birth.

Results:

Whereas 46.2% of women in the DASH diet needed to have a cesarean section, this percentage for the control group was 80.8% (P=0.01). The percentage of those who needed to commence insulin therapy after intervention was also significantly different between the two groups (23% for DASH vs 73% for control group, P<0.0001). Infants born to mothers on the DASH diet had significantly lower weight (3222.7 vs 3818.8 g, P<0.0001), head circumference (34.2 vs 35.1 cm, P=0.01) and ponderal index (2.50 vs 2.87 kg/m3, P<0.0001) compared with those born to mothers on the control diet.

Conclusions:

In conclusion, consumption of DASH diet for 4 weeks among pregnant women with GDM resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes.

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  • 04 May 2020

    Editor's Note: The Co-Editors-in-Chief are currently investigating this article as concerns have been raised about integrity of the clinical trial reported here. There is also an ongoing investigation by the Iranian National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Researches. Further editorial action will be taken as appropriate once the investigation into the concerns is complete and all parties have been given an opportunity to respond in full.

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Acknowledgements

The present study was supported by a Grant (No. 91104) from the Vice-Chancellor for Research, KUMS, Kashan, Iran. We thank the staff of Naghavi and Shaheed Beheshti Clinics (Kashan, Iran) for their assistance in this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

    Z Asemi

  2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran

    M Samimi & Z Tabassi

  3. Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    A Esmaillzadeh

  4. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    A Esmaillzadeh

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  1. Z Asemi
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Correspondence to A Esmaillzadeh.

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Contributors: ZA conducted the study, carried out the statistical analysis, wrote the manuscript and contributed in the interpretation of the findings; ZT supervised the study; MS supervised the study and assisted in writing the manuscript; AE contributed in conception and study design and advised on statistical analyses, contributed in drafting the manuscript and assisted in interpretation of the findings. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Asemi, Z., Samimi, M., Tabassi, Z. et al. The effect of DASH diet on pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 68, 490–495 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.296

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