Healthy eating and regular exercise during pregnancy will not improve expectant mothers’ chances of preventing gestational diabetes.
A study by DALI (Vitamin D and Lifestyle Intervention for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Prevention) suggests it’s more important to go into the pregnancy with a healthy lifestyle in the first place.
Campbelltown Hospital endocrinologist, researcher and Western Sydney University professor of medicine, David Simmons, says that between 2010 and 2014 South West Sydney has seen the number of women giving birth with gestational diabetes (GDM) increase from 7.8 per cent to 21.2 per cent.
“South West Sydney is above the national average of 4.2 per cent, which is why it is important that GDM be identified, treated and managed on time to prevent harmful health related outcomes,’’ says Prof Simmons.
“It is clearly even more important for expectant mothers to have a balanced diet and exercise regime, both for themselves and their child, before they are pregnant in order to reduce their chances of developing GDM.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Some of the complications associated with gestational diabetes can include excessive birth weight, pre-term birth, low blood sugar and the possibility of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.’’[/social_quote]
GDM is a serious and often misunderstood pregnancy complication which Prof Simmons said was characterised by an inadequate blood control in pregnancy.
“The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of three lifestyle interventions that included healthy eating, physical activity and a combination of both with usual care in reducing GDM risk.
“Although not one of our primary outcomes in the study, birth weight didn’t drop, showing that our physical activity and healthy eating interventions are safe during pregnancy and still likely to benefit the mother and baby in others ways,” he said.
Many of the symptoms of gestational diabetes mirror normal pregnancy symptoms and often go unnoticed.
Prof Simmons said expectant mother should get in touch with their GP if they notice excessive thirst, increased urination, tiredness or nausea.
“Elevated body mass index, an unbalanced diet and low physical activity are all risk factors for gestational diabetes, however the interventions mentioned in the DALI study should help to prevent the rising tide of gestational diabetes if in place before pregnancy,” Prof Simmons said.
Tips for reducing the risk of gestational diabetes:
Physical activity intervention
1. Be active every day: Incorporate light and moderate physical activity as much as possible into daily life (for example, by parking further away from destination or undertake special activities for pregnant women)
2. Sit less to reduce sedentary time
3. Build your strength: Incorporate upper and/or lower limb resistance exercise as physical activity
4. Increase the number of steps taken per day
5. Be more active at weekends
Healthy eating intervention
1. Replace sugary drinks with water
2. Eat more non-starchy vegetables
3. Increase fibre consumption: choose high fibre over low fibre products
4. Watch portion size: be conscious about the amount of food eaten each meal
5. Eat protein: eat more meat, fish and beans
6. Reduce fat intake: fewer snacks, fast food and fried foods
7. Less carbohydrates such as potatoes, pasta, rice, snacks, candy
For a complete list of those involved in the study or for more information on the DALI study visit the website here.
