Pilot Study of an Individualised Early Postpartum Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Women with Previous Gestational Diabetes

• Published in: International Journal of Endocrinology Vol. 2012; no. 2012; pp. 898 - 902
• Main Authors: McIntyre, Harold David, Peacock, Ann, Miller, Yvette D., Koh, Denise, Marshall, Alison L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Limiteds 01.01.2012; Hindawi Puplishing Corporation; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Clinical Study
• ISSN: 1687-8337; 1687-8345
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/892019

Optimal strategies to prevent progression towards overt diabetes in women with recent gestational diabetes remain ill defined. We report a pilot study of a convenient, home based exercise program with telephone support, suited to the early post-partum period. Twenty eight women with recent gestational diabetes were enrolled at six weeks post-partum into a 12 week randomised controlled trial of Usual Care (n=13) versus Supported Care (individualised exercise program with regular telephone support; n=15). Baseline characteristics (Mean ± SD) were: Age  33±4  years; Weight 80 ± 20 kg and Body Mass Index (BMI) 30.0±9.7 kg/m2. The primary outcome, planned physical activity {Median (Range)}, increased by 60 (0–540) mins/week in the SC group versus 0 (0–580) mins/week in the UC group (P=0.234). Walking was the predominant physical activity. Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, % body fat, fasting glucose and insulin did not change significantly over time in either group. This intervention designed to increase physical activity in post-partum women with previous gestational diabetes proved feasible. However, no measurable improvement in metabolic or biometric parameters was observed over a three month period.