Role of Exercise In Prevention of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Pregnant Women

Bushra Zulfiqar, Aneesa Matloob, Syed M. Maqsood

Abstract

Objective

To find out role of exercise in pregnant women in prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). 

Study design

Comparative cohort study.

Place & Duration of study

Al-Tibri Medical College, Isra University Campus Karachi, from June 2022 to December 2022.

Methods

The participants were assigned to either Group A or Group B on their first visit after performing oral glucose tolerance test. Group A included pregnant women who were encouraged to engage in brisk exercise for thirty minutes three times a week. The brisk walk was defined as 100 steps per minute. Group B consisted of women who received standard prenatal care. All participants were evaluated every two weeks until they reached 28-week of gestation. Compliance was verified at each appointment. Data were recorded using a specially designed form. Chi square test was applied for statistical significance.

Results

A total 110 pregnant women filled/answered the questionnaire. The mean age of the pregnant women was 25.56±4.41 years. Of the total, 70 % women were between the age of 18-27 years. There was a significant difference between the number of women diagnosed with GDM between the two groups (Group A:  n=1 - 0.9% versus Group B: n=10 - 9.1%) with p=0.009. No significant difference was found between the family history of diabetes mellitus, BMI, congenital abnormality or weight of the baby in past pregnancies.

Conclusion

A significant association was noted between physical exercises and frequency of GDM. Other variables studied like maternal age and BMI of pregnant women were found insignificant.

Key words

Exercise, Gestational diabetes mellitus, Pregnant women, Lifestyle modification.