Nutrition Assessment
GDM: Assessment of Food/Nutrition-Related History of Women
with GDM
➤ The RDN should assess the food and nutrition-related history of women with
GDM including, but not limited to:
> Food, beverage and nutrient intake including:
• Calorie intake
• Types and amount of carbohydrate (including fiber), fat, protein; with special
attention to high calorie, low-nutrient dense foods such as desserts, candy,
sugar-sweetened beverages
• Serving sizes
• Meal and snack patterns, including frequency and duration
▶ Recent changes
▶ Preferences, avoidance, intolerances, allergies including:
» In relationship to gastrointestinal discomforts (e.g., nausea, vomiting,
heartburn, constipation, ptyalism)
» Reaction to or changes in food tastes/smells related to pregnancy
» Cultural and religious considerations.
> Appetite and changes in appetite
> Eating environment and meals eaten away from home
> Diet history and behavior: previous diets and diet adherence, disordered eating
> Factors affecting access to food: Psychosocial/economic issues (e.g., social
support) impacting nutrition therapy
> Method of food preparation, food safety
> Pharmacologic therapy (including insulin or oral glucose-lowering agent)
> Substance use: Alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, recreational drugs
> Use of dietary supplements, prenatal vitamins, over-the-counter medications,
complementary and/or herbal
> Knowledge, beliefs or attitudes: Motivation, readiness to change, self-efficacy;
willingness and ability to make lifestyle changes
> Physical activity and function: Exercise patterns, functionality for activities of
daily living, sleep patterns.
Assessment of these factors is needed to effectively determine nutrition
diagnoses and formulate a nutrition care plan. Inability to achieve optimal
nutrient intake may contribute to poor outcomes. (Consensus, Imperative)
GDM: Assessment of Anthropometric Measurement of Women
with GDM
➤ The RDN should assess the following anthropometric measurements in
women with GDM, including but not limited to:
> Height, current weight, pre-pregnancy weight and body mass index (BMI)
> Weight changes during pregnancy.
Assessment of these factors is needed to effectively determine nutrition
diagnoses and formulate a nutrition care plan. (Consensus, Imperative)
