Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnant Women
Session Title
Additional Projects
College
College of Education
Department
Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been an ongoing problem within our country. GDM occurs in pregnant women who don’t have diabetes when their body can’t make enough insulin during pregnancy. Women who have GDM are not only at risk for a variety of health problems, but their unborn fetus is also at risk for health problems. For example, their baby will be high risk for having low blood sugar, being born early, and developing type 2 diabetes later in life. For years scientists have been exploring ideas to find a prevention for GDM. One common method researchers are testing is if exercise can prevent gestational diabetes. Being overweight prior to pregnancy and having a sedentary lifestyle can be a risk factor for GDM. Based on findings, exercise does have a positive outlook on GDM. Exercise before and during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in risk for GDM. Exercise at the beginning of pregnancy decrease gestational weight gain before the mid-second trimester which lowers the risk of GDM. Women with GDM should participate in 3-4 days per week of exercise at an intensity appropriate for their heart zone. They should start at 15 minutes per session and progress to 30 minutes overtime and they should work out large muscle groups. Exercise has been proven to decrease GDM when performed at the right frequency during pregnancy. Based on current knowledge, pregnant women should participate in exercise to prevent GDM.
Start Date
15-4-2022 12:00 PM
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnant Women
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been an ongoing problem within our country. GDM occurs in pregnant women who don’t have diabetes when their body can’t make enough insulin during pregnancy. Women who have GDM are not only at risk for a variety of health problems, but their unborn fetus is also at risk for health problems. For example, their baby will be high risk for having low blood sugar, being born early, and developing type 2 diabetes later in life. For years scientists have been exploring ideas to find a prevention for GDM. One common method researchers are testing is if exercise can prevent gestational diabetes. Being overweight prior to pregnancy and having a sedentary lifestyle can be a risk factor for GDM. Based on findings, exercise does have a positive outlook on GDM. Exercise before and during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in risk for GDM. Exercise at the beginning of pregnancy decrease gestational weight gain before the mid-second trimester which lowers the risk of GDM. Women with GDM should participate in 3-4 days per week of exercise at an intensity appropriate for their heart zone. They should start at 15 minutes per session and progress to 30 minutes overtime and they should work out large muscle groups. Exercise has been proven to decrease GDM when performed at the right frequency during pregnancy. Based on current knowledge, pregnant women should participate in exercise to prevent GDM.
