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(OR23-05-26) Preconception Intake of Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Relation to Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Monday, July 27, 2026
5:06 PM - 5:18 PM ET
Location: Maryland Ballroom D

    Presenting Author(s)

  • LL

    Liping Lu, MD, PhD, MS

    Assistant Professor
    Ball State University
    Muncie, Indiana, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • MA

    Meghan Angley

    Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, United States

  • KK

    Ka Kahe

    Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, United States

  • YZ

    Yijia Zhang

    Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, United States

Disclosure(s):
Liping Lu, MD, PhD, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: Studies indicate that long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) may influence glucose metabolism; however, little is known about the association between LCn-3PUFA intake and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We prospectively evaluated the association between preconception LC n-3 PUFA intake and GDM and explored potential effect modification by maternal age.

Methods: A total of 7,622 pregnant women from the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be (nuMoM2b, 2010-2013) were included after excluding those with pregestational diabetes or missing data. At the first visit, dietary intake during the three months prior to pregnancy was assessed using the modified Block 2005 Food Frequency Questionnaire. LC n-3 PUFA was estimated as the sum of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) from both diet and supplements. GDM was identified by glucose tolerance testing and medical record at the second or third study visits. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Stratified analyses and interaction tests were performed by the median maternal age at the first visit (28 years), as advanced maternal age is a risk factor for GDM.

Results: 319 women (4.2%) developed GDM. Women ≥ 28 years had higher preconception LC n-3 PUFA intake than younger women [median (interquartile range, IQR): 0.14 (0.06, 0.31)] vs. 0.07 (0.03, 0.15); P < 0.01]. After adjustment for potential confounders, higher preconception LC n-3 PUFA intake was associated with lower odds of GDM, although the association was borderline significant [OR (95% CI) for quartile 4 (Q4) vs. quartile 1 (Q1): 0.67 (0.45-1.002); Ptrend=0.104]. In stratified analyses, the inverse association was stronger among women aged < 28 years [Q4 vs. Q1: 0.38 (0.16-0.91); Ptrend=0.02]. The association was attenuated among those ≥ 28 years [Q4 vs. Q1: 0.87 (0.54-1.41); Ptrend=0.84; Pinteraction=0.097].

Conclusions: In this large prospective cohort, higher preconception LC n-3 PUFA intake was associated with lower odds of GDM, particularly among women younger than 28 years, who had lower preconception LC n-3 PUFA intake.

Funding Sources: >Faculty start-up funds from Ball States University