Up to 75% of reproductive age women are overweight, 40% are considered obese, and the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) continues to rise, from 6% to 8.3% between 2016 and 2021. Currently understood GDM risk factors, such as advanced maternal age, prior history of GDM, family history of diabetes, and socioeconomic status can only explain up to 50% of cases. Related factors such as body image dissatisfaction, eating behaviors, and daily stress exposure have been linked to blood sugar metabolization, pregnancy outcomes, and the normative physiological changes that occur during pregnancy. These interrelated mechanisms may serve as additional risk factors that could help identify other women at risk of GDM. This project aims to investigate how body image dissatisfaction, eating behaviors, and daily stress exposure are associated with the metabolization of blood sugar during pregnancy.

In this study the Strahm Lab will recruit 50 pregnant women to participate in a study assessing blood sugar metabolization as it is related to stress, body image dissatisfaction, and eating behaviors. The study will use continuous glucose monitoring in concert with an ecological momentary assessment protocol to assess these interrelated factors over the course of 10 days between 14 and 28 weeks gestation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 18 years old
• Healthy single baby pregnancy
• 14 to 28 weeks of pregnancy

Exclusion Criteria:

• history of diabetes
• history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
• history of cardiac disease
• history of endocrine disease
• assistive reproductive technology (IVF)

The investigators will recruit 50 pregnant women prior to their 28th week of gestation from Sanford Health prenatal care providers in the Sioux Falls, SD, and Fargo, ND, areas.