Gestational Diabetes: Is It Preventable?

vol. 6 • no. 5 In other words, GDM unveils a preexisting susceptibility for type 2 diabetes and provides an excellent opportunity to implement interventions to prevent or delay the development of this disorder. Abstract: Gestational diabetes mel-litus (GDM) is one of the most com-mon complications of pregnancy and is strongly related to subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes. The epidemics of obe-sity and diabetes and the increasing incidence of GDM in recent years high-light the importance of preventing GDM among women at high risk to avoid the associated short- and long-term adverse health outcomes for both mothers and their offspring. Indeed, women may be more likely to adopt healthy lifestyle hab-its during pregnancy and maintain these habits into the postpartum period. Although there is substantial evidence that targeting at-risk groups for type 2 diabetes prevention is effective if lifestyle changes are made, relatively little atten-tion has been paid to the prevention of GDM. Therefore, the objective of this article is to review the scientific evidence regarding the association between modi-fiable risk factors and GDM; discuss how lifestyle interventions, including weight management through diet and exercise could be successful in reducing the risk for GDM; and provide recommendations for future lifestyle intervention programs with a focus on translation and dissemi-nation of research findings