Abstract
Background
American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women have a higher risk for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and subsequent diagnosis of diabetes than non-AI/AN white women. Healthy eating is key to weight management both prior to pregnancy and between pregnancies and can reduce the risk for developing GDM. Our research team developed an innovative preconception counseling and diabetes risk reduction program, which includes nutrition and weight management principles, and is culturally tailored for adolescent AI/AN women. The program is entitled Stopping Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (SGDM).
Objective
The purpose of this paper is to examine nutrition-related information collected as a part of the formative qualitative research conducted for the development of a preconception counseling and gestational diabetes risk reduction program entitled, Stopping GDM.
Methods
This in-depth secondary analysis explored the original qualitative data from the needs assessment for SGDM program development. Participants included: AI/AN women with a history of GDM (n = 5), AI/AN girls at risk for GDM (n = 14) and their mothers (n = 11), health care providers and health administrators who care for AI/AN girls (n = 16), AI/AN elected leaders, and Indian health system administrators (n = 12). All focus groups and interviews were reanalyzed utilizing the following research question: “How do key stakeholders discuss food and/or nutrition in terms of gestational diabetes risk reduction for AI/AN adolescent girls?”
Results
Three primary nutrition-themes emerged: 1) AI/AN women were aware of healthy nutrition, healthy weight gain during pregnancy, and healthy nutrition for people with T2D, but these principles were not linked to reducing the risk for GDM; 2) Participants expressed the need for education on the role of nutrition and weight management in GDM risk reduction; 3) Participants shared challenges of healthful eating during and before pregnancy for AI/AN women.
Conclusion
These stakeholders’ comments informed the development of the nutrition components of SGDM.
Beta Testing of a Gestational Diabetes Risk Reduction Intervention for American Indian and Alaska Native Teens
