Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention on Gestational Diabetes Management

Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention on Gestational Diabetes Management

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of nutrition education focusing on colorful fruit and vegetable intake with after-meal physical activity guidance on glycemic control and complications in women with gestational diabetes and pre-gestational diabetes.

Diabetes (high blood sugar) developed during pregnancy can be harmful to the mother as it can lead to delivery complications because of a large baby and increases risks of type 2 diabetes and heart disease in the mother and baby in later life. Thus, pregnancy is a critical time during the human lifespan to make effective dietary changes that are safe for both mother and the fetus and reduce risks of developing diabetes and pregnancy complications. Women at risk for gestational diabetes will be randomly assigned to the standard care or the nutrition education group. Blood draws and other biomedical measures will be collected at baseline and at end of the study before delivery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• high risk for gestational diabetes
• willing to make lifestyle changes
• history of diabetes

Exclusion Criteria:

• carrying more than one fetus
• history of chronic conditions except diabetes and hypertension