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The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes

  • Diabetes and Pregnancy (CJ Homko, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Gestational diabetes is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, increased costs, and long-term risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the mother. Observational data have shown an association between reduced weight gain, healthy eating, and physical activity and reduced rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Despite this, most randomized controlled trials of lifestyle interventions to prevent GDM have been negative. Dietary approaches appear to be more successful than exercise or a combination of diet and exercise at decreasing GDM. Reasons for negative studies may include lack of power, lack of intervention uptake, and severity of placenta mediated insulin resistance. Future studies should be powered for a reduction in GDM, monitor lifestyle changes closely, and include a psychological component in the intervention.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Conflict of Interest

Ilana J. Halperin declares that she has no conflict of interest. Denice S. Feig declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Ilana J. Halperin

  2. Departments of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Denice S. Feig

  3. Division of Endocrinology, Mt Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada

    Denice S. Feig

Authors
  1. Ilana J. Halperin
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  2. Denice S. Feig
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Correspondence to Ilana J. Halperin.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Diabetes and Pregnancy

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Halperin, I.J., Feig, D.S. The Role of Lifestyle Interventions in the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes. Curr Diab Rep 14, 452 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-013-0452-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-013-0452-2

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