(P07-063-23) Bean Consumption During Pregnancy and the Risk of Gestational Diabetes

Objectives: We aimed to fill a research gap by examining the associations of bean consumption with the risk of gestational diabetes in a U.S. national pre-birth cohort.

Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis of 1,397 U.S. pregnant women from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II. Using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, pregnant women in the 3rd trimester were asked about the frequency and portion size of consuming dried beans, chili, and bean soup over the past month. They also reported the status of gestational diabetes during the current pregnancy. We used multivariable logistic regression models to examine associations between maternal bean consumption and the risk of gestational diabetes, adjusting for socio-demographic and behavioral confounders.

Results: The overall level of bean consumption was low among pregnant women: an average of 0.31 cups/week of dried beans, 0.16 cups/week of chili, and 0.10 cups/week of bean soup. Dried bean consumption during pregnancy was higher in Hispanic mothers (mean, 0.65 vs 0.28 cups/week in non-Hispanic White mothers) and mothers from the East South Central region. Chili consumption during pregnancy was higher in mothers who were Black, did not attend college, had a household size of 4+, whose annual household income was < $25,000, were recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or lived in the East South Central region. Pregnant women who consumed chili 1 time per month had a lower risk of gestational diabetes, compared to never consumers (3.5% vs 7.4%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.37 [95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.80]; p=0.011). However, there was no significant association between dried bean or bean soup consumption and the risk of gestational diabetes.

Conclusions: Socio-demographic disparities exist in bean consumption during pregnancy. A moderate frequency of chili consumption seems to offer some protection against gestational diabetes.

Funding Sources: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)