Physical activity and gestational diabetes mellitus

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is carbohydrate intolerance during pregnancy with significant risks for mother and child.
• GDM increases the risk of future type 2 diabetes in mothers and obesity and diabetes in offspring.
• Physical activity (PA) is recognized for its role in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on physical activity interventions for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevention and management.
• To identify gaps in knowledge regarding optimal PA strategies for GDM.
• To highlight the need for effective interventions to increase PA in high-risk pregnancies.

Main Methods:

• Review of observational studies and existing literature on physical activity and GDM.
• Analysis of the effectiveness of prenatal PA interventions on maternal glucose metabolism and GDM incidence.
• Identification of research needs for optimizing PA interventions.

Main Results:

• Observational studies suggest PA before/during pregnancy positively influences maternal metabolism and reduces GDM risk.
• PA interventions show effectiveness in improving glycemic control in women with existing GDM.
• Prenatal PA interventions for GDM prevention have shown modest effects on PA levels and limited impact on glucose metabolism or GDM incidence.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant need for effective strategies to increase physical activity, particularly in high-risk pregnancies.
• The optimal type, intensity, frequency, and duration of PA for GDM prevention/management require further investigation.
• Future research should also examine the specific effects of PA on neonatal outcomes, such as body composition.