No Differences in Blood Pressure or Anthropometric Measures in 3‐Year‐Old Children After a Randomized Mediterranean Dietary Intervention During Pregnancy in Norway

Abstract

AIM: The randomized controlled Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Diet in Pregnancy (CARRDIP) study demonstrated that a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy could alter maternal lipid levels, improve fetoplacental perfusion, and reduce preterm delivery rate. Here, we examine whether the intervention affected the children 3 years after the CARRDIP study. METHODS: Healthy pregnant women with no previous pregnancy complications were randomized to follow either a Mediterranean diet or their habitual diet during pregnancy. At 3 years of age, offspring blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and height were measured. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 269 mothers who completed the original study, 180 responded to the dietary assessment and 154 children attended the physical examination. There were no significant differences in blood pressure or anthropometric measurements between the children in the intervention (n = 69) and control (n = 85) groups. There was a lower intake of sugary beverages and sweets by the children in the intervention group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The Mediterranean diet intervention in pregnancy did not translate into differences between intervention and control group regarding blood pressure or anthropometrics in their offspring at the 3-year follow-up, although minor differences in children's diets were observed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The CARRDIP study is registered in Clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT05030922).