Physical exercise and metformin in gestational obesity and prevention on gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: identify the action of metformin and physical activities to reduce weight gain and prevent mellitus diabetes in obese pregnant women. Methods: the electronic search was performed in PubMed / MEDLINE, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane library databases between 2008 and 2018. The selection took place between April and July 2018, through the descriptors "pregnancy, obesity, metformin, treatment, exercise". A protocol was programmed and consecutively a selective research on the inclusion / exclusion phase. The "PICO" strategy was used. Population: obese pregnant women. Intervention: physical exercises and metformin. Control: The main indicator established was therapeutic outcomes with physical activity and metformin. Outcome of interest: body weight control. Results: by selecting the database, 3,983 articles were identified on the topic of interest. After selecting and eligibility, only 16 scientific studies were selected, of which 81.25% were clinical trials related to diet programs, physical activity, metformin use and possible outcomes, 18.75% were prospective cohort on causes of obesity in gestation and its association with gestational mellitus diabetes and preventive therapies. The study pointed out the possibility of adapting physical therapy programs with the correct metformin dosage for a greater control in gestational weight gain. However, there is a need for greater awareness and changes in habits for obese woman during the gestational period. Conclusions: the drug presents similarity to physical activity by activating AMPK and may be added to treatments that propose changes in pregnant women’s lifestyle to reduce weight gain and prevent gestational diabetes mellitus with a better understanding of the optimal dosage. Thus, the study suggests the use of metformin is not only for the prevention and the intercurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus, but a strictly careful investigation allowing its use to non-diabetic obese pregnant women.