The Healthy Gut Diet for Preventing Gestational Diabetes Study

Pregnant women in Queensland who are less than 18 weeks gestation with one or more of the following risk factors are invited to join the Healthy Gut Diet Study: previous GDM history, a baby who weighed more than 4000g at birth, a first degree relative with type 2 or gestational diabetes or a pre-pregnancy body mass index greater than 25. This diet intervention has been designed with busy mums in mind and is delivered virtually. The dietary intervention was also co-designed with women who have a lived experience of gestational diabetes.

As this is a randomized controlled trial, 50% of the women who join will be allocated to the Healthy Gut Diet intervention which is a virtually delivered diet intervention that includes education, counselling and support from an Accredited Practising Dietitian. Women in the intervention arm will receive up to 3 video (telehealth) counselling sessions with a dietitian, as well as electronic resources and weekly text message support. Women in the control group will also receive some healthy eating in pregnancy information.

All women will complete questionnaires on enrolment and at 36 weeks gestation and will have the opportunity to also complete (optional) post-pregnancy questionnaires. As the diet information is a key outcome of interest, women who participate will need to provide dietary information in the form of diet recalls which are completed over the phone with a dietitian.

The first 60 women who enrol will be eligible to have their gut microbiome expertly analysed through Microba and will receive their personalised gut health report.

Women in both groups will be eligible for up to $125 in grocery vouchers to acknowledge the time taken to complete questionnaires and diet recalls. Women who are eligible for gut microbiome testing will receive a free, personalised report valued at $349.

Interested pregnant women with one or more GDM risk factors can register their interest to join the study via this registration form. Antenatal care providers interested in promoting the study and receiving the study information pack including referral cards via mail can request the information.