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Semin Reprod Med 2020; 38(06): 352-365
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1723779
Review Article

Prevention of Gestational Diabetes: The Role of Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, and Weight before, during, and between Pregnancies

Danielle A.J.M. Schoenaker 
1   School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
2   NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
,
Susan de Jersey 
3   Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
4   Centre for Clinical Research and Perinatal Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
,
Jane Willcox 
5   School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Monique E. Francois 
6   School of Medicine, Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
7   Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
,
Shelley Wilkinson 
8   School of Human Movements and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
9   Mothers, Babies and Women's Theme, Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Funding D.A.J.M.S. is supported by the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre. S.de.J. is supported by a Metro North Hospital and Health Service Clinician Research Fellowship. M.E.F. is supported by an NHMRC Emerging Leadership Investigator Grant.
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Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common complication of pregnancy and a significant clinical and public health problem with lifelong and intergenerational adverse health consequences for mothers and their offspring. The preconception, early pregnancy, and interconception periods represent opportune windows to engage women in preventive and health promotion interventions. This review provides an overview of findings from observational and intervention studies on the role of diet, physical activity, and weight (change) during these periods in the primary prevention of GDM. Current evidence suggests that supporting women to increase physical activity and achieve appropriate weight gain during early pregnancy and enabling women to optimize their weight and health behaviors prior to and between pregnancies have the potential to reduce rates of GDM. Translation of current evidence into practice requires further development and evaluation of co-designed interventions across community, health service, and policy levels to determine how women can be reached and supported to optimize their health behaviors before, during, and between pregnancies to reduce GDM risk.

Keywords

prevention - gestational diabetes - diet - physical activity - weight - review


Publication History

Article published online:
02 February 2021

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