The general goal of the present study is to assess the impact of a community-based exercise and dietary intervention in pregnant women living in urban areas during and after their pregnancy on the reduction of the risks of both diabetes and obesity in mothers and their offspring.

We hypothesize that a community-based lifestyle intervention program during and after gestation may improve pregnancy outcomes in terms of reducing the risk of developing obesity or type 2 DM in mothers and their children.

Impact of lifestyle intervention on excessive gestational weight gain

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy < 20 weeks.
• Expressed interest in study and willingness to consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Obstetric or medical contraindications for exercise according to 2002 SOCG guideline (ruptured membranes, preterm labor, incompetent cervix, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, growth restricted fetus, placenta previa, persistent bleeding in 2nd or 3rd trimester, significant metabolic, cardiovascular, respiratory or systemic disorder) (5, 6).
• Pre-existing diabetes (except a history of GDM, but not in current pregnancy).
• Multiple gestations.

1. Hui A, Back L, Ludwig S, Sellers E, McGavock J, Morris M, Bruce S, Shen GX. Lifestyle intervention on diet and exercise reduced excessive gestational weight gain in pregnant women under a randomized controlled trial. Br J Obstetr Gynecol 2012;119:70-77
2. Hui AL, Back L, Ludwig S, Gardiner P, Sevenhuysen G, Dean HJ, Sellers E, McGavock J, Morris M, Jiang D, Shen GX. Effects of lifestyle intervention on dietary intake, physical activity level, and gestational weight gain in pregnant women with different pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index in a randomized control trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014;14:331. PMID:25248797