Nutrition Support Project

Characterizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Diets in Hawaiʻi During Pregnancy and Associated Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes

This study investigated the relationship between diet quality as defined by the Mediterranean diet pattern (MDP) and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome. Common diet patterns and microbiome profiles of pregnant women in Hawaiʻi are largely unknown and this project addressed this gap in knowledge. Results indicated adherence to MDP was associated with increased maternal GIT microbial diversity; primarily associated with fruits, vegetables, and legumes with low red meat consumption. The NSSR assisted with food frequency questionnaire preparations and nutrient and food group analysis.

An example of a manuscript from this study:

Adherence to Mediterranean diet impacts gastrointestinal microbial diversity throughout pregnancy. Miller CB, Benny P, Riel J, Boushey C, Perez R, Khadka V, Qin Y, Maunakea AK, Lee MJ. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2021;21(1):558. doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-04033-8. PMID:34399704.