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. 2025 Sep 4;25(1):205.
doi: 10.1186/s12902-025-02028-6.

Association between oxidative balance score and gestational diabetes mellitus risk: a case-control study

Fatemeh Maleki Sedgi  1 , Amir Hossein Hassani  1 , Amir Hossein Faghfouri  1 , Shahsanam Gheibi  1 , Yousef Mohammadpour  2 , Amin Mokari-Yamchi  3
Affiliations

Association between oxidative balance score and gestational diabetes mellitus risk: a case-control study

Fatemeh Maleki Sedgi et al. BMC Endocr Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy complication closely associated with increased oxidative stress. The Oxidative Balance Score (OBS) integrates dietary and lifestyle factors influencing oxidative stress, yet its relationship with GDM remains unclear.

Methods: In this case-control study, 150 pregnant women with GDM and 170 healthy controls were recruited from primary healthcare centers in Urmia, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and OBS was calculated based on dietary and lifestyle pro-oxidant and antioxidant components. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between OBS tertiles and GDM risk, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results: Women with GDM had significantly lower total OBS (18.37 ± 8.77 vs. 20.64 ± 10.98, p = 0.041) and dietary OBS (16.1 ± 6.46 vs. 17.89 ± 8.66, p = 0.036) compared to controls. key antioxidant nutrient intake, including riboflavin, folate, magnesium, and zinc, were significantly lower in the GDM group (p < 0.05). In contrast, lifestyle OBS was significantly higher in the GDM group (4.05 ± 1.4 vs. 3.65 ± 1.62, p = 0.018). Women in the highest OBS tertile had a 23% lower risk of GDM (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.48-0.92). Higher dietary and lifestyle OBS were also inversely associated with GDM risk.

Conclusion: A higher OBS, particularly in its dietary and lifestyle components, is associated with a reduced risk of GDM. These findings highlight the importance of antioxidant-rich diets and lifestyle modifications in GDM prevention.

Keywords: Diet; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Lifestyle; Oxidative balance score; Oxidative stress; Pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences (Approval ID: IR.UMSU.REC.1402.383). Prior to entering the study, each patient was required to provide written informed consent, indicating their voluntary agreement to participate after being fully informed about the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits. Consent for publication: Written informed consent was obtained from the individuals for the publication of any potentially identifiable data included in this manuscript. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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