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Review
. 2022 Jun 15;14(1):83.
doi: 10.1186/s13098-022-00854-5.

The prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (The role of lifestyle): a meta-analysis

Abdullah H Altemani  1 , Riyadh A Alzaheb  2
Affiliations
Review

The prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (The role of lifestyle): a meta-analysis

Abdullah H Altemani et al. Diabetol Metab Syndr. .

Abstract

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common complication of pregnancy. The disease is on the rise worldwide with deleterious consequences on the fetus, mother, and children. The study aimed to review the role of lifestyle in the prevention of GDM. We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and Google Scholar from the first published article up to December 2021; articles were eligible if they were controlled trials, prospective cohorts, and case-control. Out of 5559 articles retrieved, 66 full texts were screened, and 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. (6 studies assessed the effects of diet, and 13 were on exercise). The dietary intervention showed significant positive effect on GDM, odd ratio = 0.69, 95% CI, 0.56-84, P-value for overall effect = 0.002. The DASH diet was better than Mediterranean Diet (odd ratio, 0.71, 95% CI, 68-74, P-value < 0.001). Regarding exercise, no significant prevention was evident on GDM, odd ratio, 0.77, 95% CI, 0.55-1.06, P-value = 0.11. However, a significant prevention of gestational diabetes was found when the exercise was mild-moderate (odd ratio = 0.65, 95% CI, 0.53-80, P < 0.0001) and started in the first trimester (odd ratio, 0.57, 95% CI, 0.43-0.75, P < 0.0001. No significant effect was found when the exercise was vigorous (odd ratio = 1.09, 95% CI, 0.50-2.38, P = 0.83) and started during the second trimester of pregnancy (odd ratio, 1.08, 95% CI, 0.65-1.80, P = 0.77. Diet and early mild-moderate exercise were effective in GDM prevention. Exercise during the second trimester and moderate-vigorous were not. Further studies assessing the type, duration, and frequency of physical activity are needed.

Keywords: Diet; Exercise; Gestational diabetes mellitus; Lifestyle; Prevention.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Exercise and diet in the prevention of gestational diabetes (The PRISMA Chart)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The effects of diet on gestational diabetes prevention
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A comparison between Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Alternate Healthy Eating Index diet (AHEI)effects on gestational diabetes
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A comparison between Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and Mediterranean diet effects on gestational diabetes
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The effects of exercise on gestational diabetes prevention
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
The effects of exercise during the first trimester of pregnancy on gestational diabetes prevention
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
The effects of exercise during the second trimester on gestational diabetes prevention
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
The effects of mild-moderate exercise on gestational diabetes prevention
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
The effects of vigorous exercise on gestational diabetes prevention
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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