The association of a low glycaemic index diet in pregnancy with child body composition at 5years of age: A secondary analysis of the ROLO study

• Published in: Pediatric obesity 2021-12, Vol.16 (12)
• Main Authors: Callanan, Sophie, Yelverton, Cara A, Geraghty, Aisling A, O'Brien, Eileen C, Donnelly, Jean M, Larkin, Elizabeth, Horan, Mary K, Mehegan, John, McAuliffe, Fionnuala M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Childrens health; Diet; Glycemic index; Obesity; Pediatrics; Pregnancy
• ISSN: 2047-6302; 2047-6310
• DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12820

IntroductionChildhood obesity remains a significant global health concern. Early intervention through maternal diet during pregnancy represents a possible mode of improving childhood adiposity.AimTo examine the impact of a low glycaemic index diet during pregnancy on offspring anthropometry at 5 years of age.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of 387 children from the ROLO pregnancy study 5 years' post‐intervention. At the follow‐up, BMI, circumferences and skinfold thickness were obtained. A subgroup of 103 children had a DXA scan completed. Statistical analyses included Independent sample t tests, Mann Whitney‐U tests and chi‐square tests to compare the intervention and control groups. Adjusted analysis using linear regression controlled for significant confounders between participants who returned at follow‐up and those that did not.ResultsThere were no significant differences in BMI (16.05 kg/m2 vs 16.16 kg/m2, P = 0.403), general adiposity (36.60 mm vs 36.00 mm, P = 0.920), central adiposity (0.61 mm vs 0.60 mm, P = 0.540), total fat mass (4.91 kg vs 4.71 kg, P = 0.377) or total lean mass (14.29 kg vs 14.56 kg, P = 0.386) between the intervention and control groups, respectively. No associations were observed in 5‐year outcomes in adjusted analyses when controlling for maternal age at delivery, maternal early pregnancy BMI, maternal education and gestational age.ConclusionOur study found no evidence that a low glycaemic index diet in pregnancy impacts offspring anthropometry 5 years' post‐intervention. Therefore, modulating maternal carbohydrate quality in pregnancy may not be an appropriate approach to improving weight status in childhood. Future research should investigate the impact of other dietary practices in pregnancy on child health.