Pregnant women who exercise during the first trimester of pregnancy may have a lower risk of developing gestational diabetes, according to a new study led by Samantha Ehrlich, an assistant professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a researcher associate with the Kaiser Permanente Research Department. The analysis found a lower risk associated with at least 38 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day – slightly more than the usual recommendations of at least 30 minutes per day five days a week.
Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that was first diagnosed during pregnancy. It can cause serious health problems including pregnancy and delivery problems as well as an increased risk in the future for diabetes in both mother and baby.
We know that exercise is safe and beneficial for pregnant women. These results indicate that exercise is helpful in avoiding gestational diabetes, although you may need to do a little more than is currently recommended to enjoy that benefit. . “
Samantha Ehrlich, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The observational study was based on women’s self-reported exercise levels during their first trimester of pregnancy. He found that exercising at least 38 minutes daily reduced the risk of gestational diabetes by 2.1 cases per 100 women and the risk of extreme blood sugar by 4.8 cases per 100 women.
“We know that six to 10 women out of every 100 get gestational diabetes,” Ehrlich said. “If more active could reduce that by two women per 100, that’s a clear benefit.”
The study, published December 21 in the journal Diabetes Care, analyzing data collected for the Pregnancy and Lifestyle Environmental Study (PETALS), a longitudinal study that included a physical activity questionnaire from 2,246 pregnant members of Kaiser Permanente Northern California. The women in the study were racially and ethnically diverse and with a wide range of overweight classifications.
The authors suggest that current recommendations may need to be reconsidered to improve women’s chances of preventing gestational diabetes with exercise. The latest guidance from the American College of Physicians and Gynecologists was updated in 2020, and those from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were updated in 2018.
Source:
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Magazine Reference:
Ehrlich, SF, et al. (2020) Exercise during the first trimester of pregnancy and the risks of atypical screening and gestational diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Care. doi.org/10.2337/dc20-1475.