Introduction: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Low glycaemic index (GI) diets improve cardio-metabolic outcomes in insulin-resistant individuals. We examined the feasibility of lowering GI through GI-based-education among Asian post-GDM women. Methods: A 3-month investigation was carried out on 60 Malaysian women with a mean age of 31.0±4.5 years and a history of GDM. Subjects were randomised into two groups: LGIE and CHDR. The CHDR group received conventional healthy dietary recommendations only. The LGIE group received GI based-education in addition to conventional healthy dietary recommendations. At baseline and after 3-months, dietary intake of energy and macronutrient intakes including GI diet and glycaemic load was assessed using 3-day food records. Diabetes-Diet and GI-concept scores and physical activity levels were assessed using a questionnaire. Adherence to dietary instructions was measured at the end of 3 months. Results: At the end of 3 months, the LGIE group had significant reductions in energy intake (241.7±522.4Kcal, P=0.037, ES=0.463), total carbohydrate (48.7±83.5g, P=0.010, ES=0.583), GI (3.9±7.1, P=0.017, ES=0.549) and GL (39.0±55.3, P=0.003, ES=0.705) and significant increases in protein (3.7±5.4g, 0.003, ES=0.685) and diet fibre (4.6±7.3g, P=0.06). The CHDR group had a significant reduction in fat only (5.7±9.4g, P=0.006, ES=0.606). There was a 30% increase in GI-concept scores in the LGIE group (p< 0.001). Changes in GI-concept scores correlated significantly to the reduction in dietary GI (r = -0.642, P=0.045). Dietary adherence was comparable in both groups. Conclusion: GI-education improves GI-concept knowledge and helps lower dietary glycaemic index among women with a history of GDM.

Introduction: Calorie restriction is the main strategy for loosing body weight in obese individuals. However, persistence to this strategy is a major challenge. Ghrelin, a hormone that influences an individual to consume food by modulating the feelings of hunger. This effect may be influenced by the % fat composition of a meal. Materials and Methods: Twelve young male participants with normal BMI, were administered in random order one of 2 isocaloric meals after an overnight fast. The 2 meals contained either 31 or 52% fat. After a 7 day gap, cross-over of the participants was carried out and they consumed the other meal similarly. Ghrelin levels were measured after fasting and 1 hour after diet consumption. An appetite rating on a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure perceived hunger and satiety before and after the meal. Results: When compared to the baseline values, an average of 34% and 20% decrease in ghrelin levels were noted after the high-fat meal (p<0.025), and low-fat meal respectively. Analysis of the VAS showed that feelings of hunger decreased, while feelings of satiety increased after the meal, however there was no difference between the two meals. Conclusion: Thus, within this study group, though the feelings of hunger and satiety was comparable, consumption of isocaloric high fat caused ghrelin levels to decrease within one hour post meal. This shows that manipulation of % fat of the diet can achieve lower post-meal ghrelin levels.