Physical Activity in Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Submitting Student(s)

Maryah Lance

Session Title

Other Abstracts

Faculty Mentor

Janet Wojcik, Ph.D.

College

College of Education

Department

Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance

Abstract

Women who are pregnant with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at risk for complications for themselves and their unborn children. Glucose intolerance during pregnancy is considered GDM. Some of the complications are long-term type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, preterm labor, induced labor, stillbirth, and an increased risk of a macrocosmic baby over 9 lbs. A macrocosmic baby has more body fat which can cause childhood obesity. Therefore, abnormally large babies usually correlate to mothers with GDM. Reducing body weight before, during, and after pregnancy while managing nutrition and physical activity are lifestyle changes necessary to decrease the chances of GDM. For example, the woman can do an aerobic exercise plan that looks like this: Frequency- 3-5 days per week; Intensity- 5-6 for moderate and 7-10 for vigorous (RPE scale of 0-10); Time- at least 30-60 mins; Type- walking, dancing, treadmill, cycling; Volume- 150 mins per week, 10,000 steps per day; Progression- 5-10% per week. Although this recommendation can help, nutrition should also be managed concurrently with exercise because physical activity is not effective when managed independently. If managing both nutrition and exercise is difficult, try goal setting following specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals like walking three days a week for 30 minutes a day for a month and increasing the time by 10 mins each month the goals are reached.

Course Assignment

EXSC 511 – Wojcik

Start Date

15-4-2023 12:00 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 15th, 12:00 PM

Physical Activity in Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Women who are pregnant with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at risk for complications for themselves and their unborn children. Glucose intolerance during pregnancy is considered GDM. Some of the complications are long-term type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, preterm labor, induced labor, stillbirth, and an increased risk of a macrocosmic baby over 9 lbs. A macrocosmic baby has more body fat which can cause childhood obesity. Therefore, abnormally large babies usually correlate to mothers with GDM. Reducing body weight before, during, and after pregnancy while managing nutrition and physical activity are lifestyle changes necessary to decrease the chances of GDM. For example, the woman can do an aerobic exercise plan that looks like this: Frequency- 3-5 days per week; Intensity- 5-6 for moderate and 7-10 for vigorous (RPE scale of 0-10); Time- at least 30-60 mins; Type- walking, dancing, treadmill, cycling; Volume- 150 mins per week, 10,000 steps per day; Progression- 5-10% per week. Although this recommendation can help, nutrition should also be managed concurrently with exercise because physical activity is not effective when managed independently. If managing both nutrition and exercise is difficult, try goal setting following specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound (SMART) goals like walking three days a week for 30 minutes a day for a month and increasing the time by 10 mins each month the goals are reached.