Lifestyle intervention programme for Indian women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus

To evaluate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention (diet and physical activity) among women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), delivered by trained facilitators.

Fifty-six normoglycaemic or prediabetic women with prior GDM were recruited at mean of 17 months postpartum. Socio-demographic, medical and anthropometric data were collected. Six sessions on lifestyle modification were delivered in groups (total four groups, with 12-15 women in each group). Pre and post intervention (6 months) weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure (BP) and lipid parameters were compared.

The intervention was feasible, with 80% of women attending four or more sessions. Post-intervention analyses showed a significant mean reduction of 1.8 kg in weight, 0.6 kg/m² in BMI and 2 cm in waist circumference. There was also a significant drop of 0.3 mmol/L in fasting plasma glucose, 0.9 mmol/L in 2 h post glucose load value of plasma glucose, 3.6 mmHg in systolic BP, and 0.15 mmol/L in triglyceride levels. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and diastolic BP were non-significant.

This study showed feasibility of the lifestyle intervention delivered in group sessions to women with prior gestational diabetes.