Peer-reviewed article
Family meals for future health: A life-course approach to type 2 diabetes risk reduction after gestational diabetes.
Litterbach E, Spence AC, Middleton G, Speight J, Holmes-Truscott E ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explores how mothers who have had gestational diabetes perceive family meals as a way to reduce type 2 diabetes risk in their families. Researchers interviewed 14 Australian mothers about their views on family meals and tested health promotion messages with them. Mothers valued family meals and found the messages relevant, though they wanted practical resources like recipes and preferred delivery through health professionals and online platforms.
Key points
- Mothers with prior gestational diabetes showed awareness of elevated type 2 diabetes risk for themselves and their children
- Family meals were perceived as feasible and acceptable for supporting type 2 diabetes risk reduction
- Mothers valued family meals highly and saw them as opportunities for broader family health beyond diabetes prevention
- Mothers preferred health messages delivered via credible sources like health professionals, with formats such as videos and posters
- Some suggested message adaptations conflicted with best-practice nutrition guidelines
Limitations
This qualitative study captures only mothers' perceptions and preferences, not actual health outcomes or behaviour change; it does not evaluate whether family meal interventions actually reduce type 2 diabetes risk in practice. The small sample of 14 participants from Australia limits generalisability.
Abstract
Aims Gestational diabetes (GDM) more than doubles maternal and child risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Post-GDM, a life-course approach to T2D risk reduction includes family nutrition-focused health promotion. This study explores mothers' perceptions of the role of family meals in T2D risk reduction post-GDM, and brief messages to promote optimal nutrition-related behaviours during family meals. Methods Fourteen qualitative, semi-structured online interviews were conducted with mothers aged 18+ years, living in Australia, with prior GDM and at least one child aged <3 years, recruited via social media. Interviews explored perceptions of family meals and T2D risk and included cognitive debriefing and refinement of health-promoting family mealtime messages. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied to transcripts. Results Mothers indicated awareness of elevated T2D risk. Four themes included: Mothers place high value and expectations on family meals; Balancing individual and collective health and well-being needs post-GDM; an opportunity for family health beyond T2D risk reduction; and supports required to engage in family meals for future health. Mothers perceived the messages as relevant and mostly acceptable. Mothers liked how messages normalised mealtime challenges, though some suggested adaptations conflicted with best-practice guidelines. Mothers preferred online or physical message delivery (e.g. videos, posters), via credible sources (e.g. health professionals) and with practical resources (e.g. recipes). Conclusions Post-GDM, mealtimes appear feasible and acceptable for supporting T2D risk reduction in families. Acceptability and relevance of messages highlight their potential for supporting family health, although how to support best practice remains challenging. Implementation pathways and ways to action messages may require the inclusion of practical resources.