Daily walking is effective for the management of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

AimThis study evaluated the usefulness of daily walking for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) management by analyzing the relationship between daily walking and glucose tolerance in pregnant women with GDM who were in the second trimester.MethodsThis longitudinal study was conducted at TOYOTA Memorial Hospital in Toyota, Japan, from January 2015 to June 2016. Pregnant women with GDM wore accelerometers on the waist for 7–12 weeks.ResultsSeventy‐three women with GDM were included in the present study; data collected from 24 women were analyzed. The estimated number of steps walked daily showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.798, P = 0.000) with energy expenditure related to physical activity. There was a significant negative correlation (r = −0.603, P = 0.014) between the post‐ to pre‐research casual glucose level (CGL) ratio and the number of steps walked daily. No significant correlation (r = −0.004, P = 0.986) was detected between the ratio of hemoglobin A1c and the number of steps taken. When the study was completed, the 11 participants who walked ≥6000 steps/day showed significantly lower CGL (95 + 10 mg/dL [mean + SD]) than the 13 participants in the <6000 steps/day group (111 + 18 mg/dL) (P = 0.013).ConclusionSimple walking for light intensity physical activity is effective for controlling the CGL in pregnant women with GDM. We recommend that pregnant women with GDM should walk a minimum of 6000 steps/day.

Gestational diabetes mellitus: management during and after pregnancy - a systematic literature review

“…Similar to medical nutrition therapy, Sklempe Kokic et al (Sklempe Kokic et al, 2018) reported that physical activity is a key component in initial GDM management. Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and reduces fasting and postprandial glucose concentrations in patients with GDM (Hayashi et al, 2018). This study underlines that exercise interventions performed early in pregnancy can reduce the risk of excessive Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) in the first and early second trimester and can possibly reduce the incidence of GDM (Elvebakk et al, 2018); (Wang et al, 2015b).…”

Physical activity for blood glucose control in gestational diabetes mellitus: rationale and recommendations for translational behavioral interventions

“…Evidence from a cohort study of over 900 women with GDM found that moderate-intensity physical activity, as self-reported on the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire, was significantly associated with optimal glycemic control, defined as ≥ 80 % of self-monitored capillary glucose values meeting clinical targets [ 30 ]. In a small study of 24 women with GDM, there was an inverse association between daily steps (objectively assessed by device) and random blood glucose [ 31 ]. The authors also reported significantly lower random blood glucose among those who completed ≥ 6000 steps per day [ 31 ].…”

“…In a small study of 24 women with GDM, there was an inverse association between daily steps (objectively assessed by device) and random blood glucose [ 31 ]. The authors also reported significantly lower random blood glucose among those who completed ≥ 6000 steps per day [ 31 ]. Another small study of 30 women with GDM showed significant improvement in fasting and postprandial glucose levels and lower insulin requirements following participation in low-intensity walking sessions [ 29 ].…”

“…Articles were excluded if they were reviews (N = 13), controls were not women with GDM (N = 1), exercise intervention was acute (N = 3) and outcome measures were not related to glucose control (N = 1). Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria (N = 3 observational [29][30][31] and N = 8 experimental studies [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39].…”

The effects of physical activity mediated in pregnancy outcomes during pregnancy

“…Recent findings showed that physical activity during pregnancy could reduce the risk of GDM [6] . The study of Hayashi et al [7] suggested that walking could significantly reduce the level of random blood glucose for pregnant women with GDM. It was also recommend at least 6000 steps per day.…”