title: Prevention of gestational diabetes: feasibility issues for an exercise intervention in obese pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility of an individualized exercise program to prevent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in obese pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a pilot randomized controlled trial with obese pregnant women (intervention group, individualized exercise program [n = 25]; control group, usual care [n = 25]). Average weekly energy expenditure (MET hours per week and kilocalories per week) of exercise-specific activity was assessed during pregnancy using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire. Fasting glucose and insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed at baseline and 20, 28, and 36 weeks' gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the women in the intervention group, 16 of 22 (73%) achieved more than 900 kcal/week of exercise-based activity at 28 weeks compared with 8 of 19 women in the control group (42%), P = 0.047. However, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) did not differ between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This intervention was feasible and prompted a modest increase in physical activity. However, we are not confident that this intervention would be sufficient to prevent GDM.
authors.affiliation: Royal Brisbane Clinical School, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. l.callaway@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Leonie K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Callaway
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Colditz
authors.forename: Nuala M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Barbara E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Lingwood
authors.forename: Ingrid J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Rowlands
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Foxcroft
authors.forename: H David
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome