Designing an Eco-Sustainable Medical Nutrition Strategy to Support Better Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Gestational Diabetes

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represents a significant public health challenge affecting approximately 14% of pregnancies globally with profound implications for maternal-fetal health outcomes. This review paper examines the integration of eco-sustainable medical nutrition therapy strategies to optimize maternal glycemic control and enhance neonatal outcomes in women diagnosed with GDM. The primary objectives encompass evaluating plant-based dietary interventions, assessing low glycemic index nutritional approaches, and analyzing the environmental sustainability of dietary recommendations. A systematic review methodology was employed, incorporating randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and cohort studies from electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library up to 2022. The hypothesis posited that eco-sustainable dietary patterns demonstrate superior efficacy in improving maternal glucose parameters and reducing adverse neonatal outcomes compared to conventional dietary management. Results revealed that Mediterranean diet interventions reduced GDM incidence by 33%, while DASH diet significantly decreased fasting blood glucose levels. Plant-based dietary patterns demonstrated 12% risk reduction for GDM development. Macrosomia incidence reduced significantly with low glycemic index interventions. These findings conclusively support the implementation of environmentally sustainable medical nutrition strategies as evidence-based interventions for optimizing gestational diabetes management while promoting planetary health.