Maternal hyperglycemia including Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) disproportionately affects 5-11% of
African American Pregnant Women (AAPW). GDM and even nondiabetic hyperglycemia are linked to
preeclampsia, primary cesarean section, macrosomia, birth trauma in the short-term, and increased risks of
obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in mothers and offspring in the long-term. National medical
costs of GDM even for short-term consequences are high at $1.8 billion yearly. Overweight/obese AAPW have
the highest increased risk of GDM, GDM recurrence and nondiabetic hyperglycemia of any race. Sleep
disparities also exist. AAPW have shorter sleep, later midpoints of sleep (timing), worse sleep continuity and
quality than White women. We and others have shown short sleep duration, poor sleep quality and later sleep
timing are associated with increased GDM risk. Sleep disturbances, ubiquitous in pregnancy, may represent
MODIFIABLE risk factors for maternal hyperglycemia. While cognitive/behavioral methods have yielded robust
improvement in sleep duration and quality in general population, we are the only group to test the effects of a
nonpharmacologic sleep intervention to improve maternal glucose metabolism in AAPW. Our preliminary work
suggests that sleep B.E.T.T.E.R. addressing 6 principles of wake-sleep hygiene (Bedroom, Exercise, Tension,
Time in bed, Eating, and Rhythm), targeting 24-hr behaviors and multiple lifestyle components can successfully
improve sleep in pregnant women. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to establish the
effectiveness of our culturally targeted and individually tailored BETTER intervention to promote maternal
glucose metabolism in AAPW. We will enroll 150 overweight/obese nulliparous AAPW aged 18-40. They will be
randomized (75 per group) to: 1) sleep BETTER or 2) attention control (Birth-Prep). Data will be collected at 16-
20 (baseline), 28-30 (end of treatment) and 34-36 (post treatment) gestational weeks (GWs) using valid and
reliable instruments monitoring sleep in free-living conditions with state-of-the-art methods assessing glucose
levels and insulin sensitivity. Our specific aims are to: (1) Define the impact of BETTER versus Birth-Prep on
glucose tolerance (fasting glucose-primary outcome) and insulin sensitivity, and (2) Determine the efficacy of
BETTER versus Birth-Prep to improve sleep duration, sleep quality and timing in participants, and (3) Determine
the extent to which other factors represent key effect modifiers including economic hardships, psychosocial
stress and racial discrimination for the intervention (exploratory aim). The long-term goals of our research are
1) to develop low-cost and effective approach on optimizing maternal metabolism and well-being that can be
easily employed in prenatal care from hospital- or community-based clinics, and 2) to integrate sleep hygiene
principles in mainstream prenatal education to improve maternal glucose metabolism in low income African
American women. This can contribute to better health outcomes in mothers, their offspring and next generations.
This proposal supports NIMHD’s mission of improving minority health and eliminating health disparities.