The Relationship between the Nutritioun Status and Insulin Resistance Index in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Progressive insulin resistance (IR) is a physiologic state during pregnancy which could be ended to gestational diabetes. Given the relationship between weight and insulin resistance (IR), the study of the association between nutrients intake and insulin resistance is particularly rational and predictive. Methods: The current descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 138 nulliparous women with healthy and single pregnancies. Individual characteristics were collected by a researcher-administered questionnaire. At 6th-10th weeks of pregnancy, physical activity scores and nutrients intake were determined using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire and 24-hour recall for three consecutive days, respectively. At the same time, fasting serum glucose and insulin levels were also measured to calculate IR by the formula. Findings: Square root transformation of IR index at the first trimester was significantly correlated with household income, occupational activity, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), weight, and physical activity at 6th-10th weeks of gestation. However, after adjusting the effect of related variables, household income and maternal weight were significantly associated with IR, and occupational activity had a trend toward the significant association. Moreover, vitamin D, linolenic acid, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and carbohydrate intake were significantly correlated with IR index. However, after adjusting for the related variables, vitamin E had a direct significant relationship with IR, and glucose and maltose intakes were inversely associated with IR. Conclusion: Significant association between household income and maternal weight at the first trimester can be used to control IR, which is a key component for gestational diabetes. The association of vitamin E, glucose, and maltose intakes with IR may be a guide to get new results. We suggest further studies about the association between occupational activity and insulin resistance in pregnant women.

Keywords

• insulin resistance
• food intake
• physical activity
• pregnancy