Dietary Intake patterns in women with GDM and Non-GDM: A comparative study.

Objectives: The study aimed to determine dietary Intake patterns in women with GDM and Non-GDM, a comparative study in a tertiary care hospital, Pakistan. Methods: This comparative cross sectional study was conducted through questionnaire spread over a period of six months of pregnant women visiting to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for ante-natal visit having 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. With the written consent of the participants dietary intake patterns were assessed in GDM & Non-GDM subjects by a three day 24 hours' recalls and food frequency questionnaire. A 24-hour dietary recall chart is a dietary assessment tool in which participants were asked to recall all food and drink they have consumed in the last 24 hours. The FFQ (food frequency questionnaire) provide a list of foods and participants were asked how often they eat each item on the list. This FFQ has 70 food items. The food frequency was reported as never, per year, per month, once a week, once and a day. The reported intake of food was converted into nutrients intake (carbohydrate, protein, fat) which was calculated by reported intake frequency of each food multiplied by reported portion size and its respective nutrient composition, summing over all foods by a trained Nutritionist. Results: A total of 75 participants with GDM, and 75 with Non-GDM were enrolled in this study over a period of six months. It was observed that dietary intake patterns have a significant association with GDM. Those who consume carbohydrate mainly containing diet have likely to have GDM. It has been seen that those who have family history of diabetes are more likely to have GDM. Family dietary patterns can affect risk of GDM. Our study has shown that timings of meals did not find have any significant association with GDM. Conclusion: Dietary patterns strongly influence the risk of GDM. The most contributing factors to risk of GDM are higher intake of carbohydrate rich diet and lesser consumption of fruits and vegetables.

The physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan.

Objectives: To determine the physical activity patterns among pregnant women at a tertiary care hospital in, Pakistan. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted through questionnaire for a span of eight months (from 17th July, 2020 till 20th March, 2021) amongst pregnant women visiting Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for ante-natal visit including paramedical staff having 24 to 28 weeks of gestation. With the written consent of participants, the physical activity was assessed by a validated self-reported Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) having 32 questions to determine the duration; frequency, intensity and type of physical activity during pregnancy. Participants were asked to select the physical activity and time spent on it per day during the current gestational period. From the PPAQ, average weekly energy expenditure in Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET-h-week) was calculated. Demographic data including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, parity, literacy and working status were recorded. Results: A Total of 229 participants of different ethnicities were enrolled. House hold and care giving type of activities of moderate to light intensity were commonly practiced by our pregnant women. Whereas multi gravida were involved in light physical activities. The Punjabi and Baluchi women mostly took occupational type of physical activities. Working women were physically more active than household women. Around 186 (80%) of the participants had no idea that they should take antenatal exercises during pregnancy. Conclusion: The study concluded that house hold and care giving type activities with moderate to light intensity were commonly carried by pregnant women. Majority of them had no knowledge of antenatal exercise.

Determinants of Vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic healthy young medical students.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine vitamin D status and frequency of its determinants related to diet, clothing, lifestyle and exposure to sunlight among young healthy medical students living in Karachi, Pakistan. METHODS: This cross sectional study included responses gathered on questionnaire from medical students of Karachi Medical &Dental College from 4th of August 2017 till 30th April 2018. All the participants were healthy young adult's year of age who gave written informed consent to participate in the study. Questions regarding demographics, sun exposure, diet, clothing, living patterns and any symptoms like pain or body aches were recorded. Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D3, calcium and phosphorus levels were measured through laboratory examination. For serum 25OHD, the cutoff values ≤ 20ng /ml, ≥ 21-29ng /ml, and ≥ 30ng/ml were defined as deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency respectively. RESULTS: Total number of medical students enrolled in the study was 221.Among total participants 191 (86.43%) were females and 30 (13.57%) were males. Mean ± SD age was almost similar (23.00 ± 2.56 vs. 23.03 ± 2.05). Majority of the females 115 (60.2%) had BMI within normal range, and were predominantly single 164 (85.9%). Vitamin D deficiency was found in 197 (89.14%), insufficiency in 16 (7.24%), and only 8 (3.62%) had sufficient levels. Determinant factors reported by deficient group (n=197); fabric color (dark mix) 87.3%, fabric material (synthetic + mix) 48.7%, full length of sleeves by 45.7%, exposure to sun only on hands and face during outdoors was reported by 64.5%, milk up to 250 cc was consumed by 77.2%, one egg per day in diet was taken by 56.9% and intake of cod liver oil was less common in only 27.4%. CONCLUSION: Deficiency of vitamin D is common among healthy young adults particularly females which emphasize need to add vitamin D supplements in their routine diet.