Food intake of gestational diabetes mellitus women at omdurman maternity teaching hospital khartoum state – sudan

The objective of this study was to assess the food intake of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) women attending Omdurman Maternity Teaching Hospital. The sample included 163 diagnosed GDM with 150 non-diabetic controls. Methods included interviews and anthropometric measurements. The results showed that GDMs were significantly older than non-diabetics (31.28±5.52 and 28.39±5.7 years old, respectively). No significant differences between the two groups regarding their body mass index .The 24-hours food recalls showed that the mean number servings of cereals and sugars were significantly lower among the GDMs compared to the non-diabetics (11.6±4.4 vs. 13.5±3.9 for cereals and 4.8±4.7 vs. 8.3±6 servings for sugars, respectively). However, GDM women still take high amounts of cereals and sugars compared to the recommended amounts. Fruits intake was very low among both groups (less than one serving). The effect was compounded by the reduced intake of vegetables especially among the GDMs (2.7±1.3 vs. 3±1.3 servings, respectively). Fat intake was found to be very high especially among the GDMs compared to the non-diabetics (15.66±10.20 vs. 13.4±7 servings, respectively). In conclusion, the dietary intake of the studied GDM women is unhealthy. Therefore, to achieve safer maternity outcomes, strict intervention programs that promotes healthier dietary intake should be adopted.