Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Dietary Digital Tool

Abstract

Introduction

Globally, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) accounts for over  16%  of glucose intolerance experience during pregnancy. In the UK, 4 out of every 5 cases of pregnancy related hyperglycaemia are due to GDM and black African women have second largest burden of GDM in the UK with 43% prevalence.The burden of GDM among Black African ethnic group has been linked to high glycaemic index nature of most African Diet. Finding from other  studies  reveal how  adverse foetal  and maternal outcome in GDM can be effectively managed by quality dietary intervention.

In the UK, over 60% of adults use digital tools to access health and lifestyle information.

The pivotal role of mobile digital and web based  tools in improvement of health outcomes has  been established across many other  areas of health intervention. Due to its success in other health interventions, dietary digital tools have been suggested to provide a novel information about dietary needs for optimal glucose regulation in women with GDM. However, Dietary information of many mobile and web-based dietary tools are not consistent with relevant evidence-based nutritional guidelines for management of the condition. Furthermore, dietary information provided by the existing digital tools in the UK is not tailored toward ethnic-specific nutritional needs of black African women with GDM in the country.

Aim of the Research

To develop a framework for evidence-based dietary digital tool for management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among black African Pregnant women in the UK

Methodology

The methodology for the research is a multi-phased mixed method including systematic review with concurrent qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.

Anticipated Outcome

This research will be first of its kind to investigate framework for development and implementation of dietary digital tools for the management of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among black African women in the UK.  With support and expertise of multidisciplinary supervisory team and collaborators from the King’s College London to provide guidance throughout the course of the research, the outcome is believed to promote normoglycemia which will reduce the burden of GDM and consequently improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes among Black African pregnant women in the UK.

Researchers