Effect of Mediterranean diet for pregnant women: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Introduction

Mediterranean diet might be a promising approach to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus. However, the results remained controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effect of Mediterranean diet on gestational diabetes mellitus.

Methods

PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of Mediterranean diet on gestational diabetes mellitus were included. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effect model.

Results

Four RCTs involving 2277 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention for pregnant women, Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.52 to 0.82; p = .0003) and gestational weight gain (SMD = −0.15; 95% CI = −0.26 to −0.05; p = .004), but had no obvious effect on preeclampsia (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 0.52–2.11; p = .91), preterm delivery (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.20–1.55; p = .26) or neonatal unit (OR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.43–1.19; p = .19).

Conclusions

Mediterranean diet may be effective to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus.

Keywords:

• Mediterranean diet
• pregnant women
• gestational diabetes mellitus
• randomized controlled trials (RCTs)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).