(P27-068-25) Examination of Food Choice Prioritization, Intake of Fruit and Vegetables, and Access to Fruits and Vegetables in Black Women With and Without Gestational Diabetes

Objectives: Diet is a major modifiable risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Black pregnant women. Yet, few interventions leverage diet for GDM prevention in this population. This project goal is to examine food choice prioritization and fruit and vegetable intake with neighborhood access to fruits and vegetables in a sample of Chicago Black women at risk/affected by GDM to inform a tailored intervention for GDM prevention.

Methods: We collected online survey data from Black pregnant women at risk for/or affected by GDM in Chicago, IL, on food choice prioritization and intake of fresh fruits and vegetables using the Food Choice Questionnaire and National Cancer Institute’s Dietary Screener Questionnaire validated surveys. We utilized the Chicago Health Atlas data to determine the rate of neighborhood-level access to fruits and vegetables. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed.

Results: Eighty-three participants completed the online survey; 18 were affected by GDM, and 65 were unaffected. Participants were between 18-41 years old (μ = 29.5); a majority had a BMI over 30 (70%), were single (54%), had an annual household income of < $50K (78%), and completed some college or above (52%). Most participants (78%) lived in neighborhoods with limited access to fruits and vegetables. Overall, participants prioritized sensory appeal (μ score = 3.3±  0.22), health (μ=3.1 ± 0.19), and convenience (μ=3.0 ± 0.19) of foods. Participants consumed an average of 3.25 cups of fruits/vegetables/day, which is below the USDA recommendation of 4.5-5 cups/day for pregnant women.

Conclusions: These preliminary findings support addressing low fruit and vegetable intake through a dietary intervention that targets sensory appeal, health, and convenience as important food choice indicators and limited access to fruits and vegetables for Black pregnant women at risk for GDM.

Funding Sources: UIC Bridge to Faculty and UIC/NIH BIRCWH