Physical Activity in Pregnancy with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
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
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.
