Increased body fat percentage and physical inactivity are independent predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus in South Asian women.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to identify lifestyle predictors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in South Asian women. Pre-gravid body mass index, body composition, rate of weight gain during pregnancy, physical activity (PA) and dietary intake were studied.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study (n=611) of South Asian women at Aga Khan University Hospital antenatal clinic in Karachi, Pakistan. Weight, height and body fat % were measured and data on PA, diet and socio-economic covariates were collected at baseline. A glucose screen was performed at 29.8+/-2.6 weeks.


RESULTS
Using logistic regression analysis for the full cohort, the risk of GDM increased with older maternal age (odds ratio (OR) 1.13, confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.21), increased body fat % (OR 1.07, CI 1.03-1.13) and the risk was inversely associated with PA (100 kcal) (OR 0.79-0.99, CI 0.89). Using a nested case (n=49) control (n=98) design to study dietary intake, the risk of GDM decreased with increasing protein (% energy) in the diet (OR 0.75, CI 0.60-0.95).


CONCLUSIONS
Body fat %, physical inactivity and, possibly, diet quality are important modifiable risk factors for GDM. 2006.
Iqbal
R
R
Department of Medicine, Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Rafique
G
G
Badruddin
S
S
Qureshi
R
R
Cue
R
R
Gray-Donald
K
K
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D010154:Pakistan; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*
D004044:Dietary Proteins