The effect of glucose levels on fetal birth weight: a study of Chinese gravidas in Tianjin, China.

The relationship between maternal glucose intolerance and fetal birth weight remains, to a large extent, unknown in Chinese gravidas. From December 1998 to December 1999, 9471[corrected] women in six urban districts of Tianjin, China, underwent an initial screening using a 50-g, 1-h glucose load at 26-30 gestational weeks. Women with a serum glucose reading >or=7.8 mmol/l, were followed up for a 75-g, 2-h glucose tolerance test, which was interpreted using the 1998 World Health Organization's (WHO) criteria for diabetes. A total of 174 women had gestational diabetes mellitus. Complete data was collected in 170 women. Among them, 56 accepted diabetes management including self-home glucose monitoring, diet, and physical activity advice, and others received no treatment. The comparison group was 302 women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Glucose levels at the initial screening (partial R(2)=.0343, P<.0001), maternal weight gain during pregnancy (partial R(2)=.0915, P<.0001), and gestational week at delivery (partial R(2)=.0432, P<.0001) were determinants of fetal birth weight, controlling for maternal age, pregravid BMI, maternal stature, and other confounders. Both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) status and a positive screening but normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result were predictors of macrosomia (birth weight >or=4000 g). It concludes that maternal glucose levels correlate with fetal birth weight and a glucose level of 7.8 mmol/l or more at the initial screening is predictive of macrosomia in Chinese gravidas regardless of GDM status.

Longitudinal changes in nutrient intakes in the Melbourne Chinese Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess longitudinal changes in the consumption of nutrients and the impact of socio-economic factors on diet transition in the Melbourne Chinese Health Study (MCHS) cohort. DESIGN: Longitudinal study including two phases: baseline (1989/90) and follow-up (1995/97). SETTINGS: Melbourne metropolitan areas in Victoria, Australia. STUDY SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Two hundred and sixty-two Chinese men and women aged 25 years and over, recruited at baseline, who had completed the both baseline and follow-up food-frequency questionnaires. RESULTS: Women increased their daily intakes of energy (+549 kJ), protein (+7.8 g), fat (+7.3 g) and dietary fibre (+5.6 g) whereas men decreased their daily consumption of carbohydrate (-38.5 g) over an average period of 8 years. Energy contributions from protein and fat rose while that from carbohydrate dropped for all cohort subjects. Increased intakes of riboflavin, beta-carotene and iron were observed in men, while an increased consumption of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and minerals (except sodium) was observed in women. Socio-economic factors such as education, family income levels and occupational categories appeared to have a far more powerful influence on changes in individual daily nutrient intakes than age or length of stay in Australia. Changes in nutrient intake in women were less affected by sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSION: The observed changes in nutrient intakes indicated a progressive approach towards the Australian Recommended Dietary Intakes within this Chinese cohort population.