Association of physical activity with GD (Gestational Diabetes Mellitus)

Abstract

Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus is a medical problem that develops during pregnancy and results in various maternal and neonatal complications. There is no single evident cause of maternal hyperglycemia. Patient with GDM present with different risk factors. Prevalence of GDM is increasing in Pakistan so we wanted to study the actual risk factors of it. Being a physical therapist we wanted to assess the association of GDM with physical activities, reduce obesity and prevent GDM. Objective: The main objective of the study was to find out the effects of sedentary and active life style in gestational women with GDM in order to determine the association of physical activities with GDM. Methodology: It was a cross sectional survey done in Pakistan Railway Hospital from November 2013 to January 2014 on 81 Gestational women who were in their second or third trimester between the age of 18 to 40 years having GDM. Data was collected through structured questionnaire i.e. Modified Kaiser Physical Activity Survey Form and analyzed using SPSS. Results: 42(51%) Patients with GDM reported to do routine cleaning, dusting, laundry, vacuuming or changing linens on daily basis that is more than once a week. 36 (44%) women do the physical activity of caring a child or children less than 2 years of age more than 20 hrs a week. 66 (81%) women with GDM never did heavy outdoor work. 66 (81%) never do grocery shopping or pushing a shopping cart. 43 (51%) women with GDM reported that they never do proper walk of 15 min at a time while 28 (35%) do it once a month. It shows that these patients don’t do proper walk on daily basis. Only 5 (6%) women walk from 30 to 45 min daily to or from work. Conclusion: From the results it is concluded that women do routine physical activity but develop GDM. While they don’t do proper and planned walk not even for at least 15 min in a routine which is considered to be a risk factor for developing GDM Keywords: Gestational diabetes, Maternal Hyperglycemia, Physical Activity, Walk