Gestational Diabetes Risk Linked to Low Physical Activity in Early Pregnancy

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, has found that low physical activity during early pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study, published in the journal Diabetes, analyzed data from 3997 pregnant women and discovered that women with GDM were older and had higher rates of overweight/obesity compared to non-GDM participants. The research also found that low physical activity was significantly associated with increased GDM risk, particularly in early pregnancy, and that elevated lipid levels partially mediated this relationship.

Key Takeaways:

  • Low physical activity during early pregnancy is a significant risk factor for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
  • Women with GDM were older and had higher rates of overweight/obesity compared to non-GDM participants.
  • Low physical activity was significantly associated with increased GDM risk, particularly in early pregnancy (OR = 2.041, 95% CI: 1.577-2.644).
  • Elevated lipid levels partially mediated the relationship between low physical activity and GDM risk.
  • Low physical activity in mid-pregnancy was not directly linked to GDM, although increased triglyceride levels during this stage mediated an effect on GDM risk.
  • The study advocates for stage-specific exercise and lipid management strategies to reduce GDM risk and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Diabetes (Volume 41, Issue 6, 2025).

Statistics:

  • 3997 pregnant women were analyzed in the study (614 with GDM).
  • Women with GDM were older ( median age 33.5 years) compared to non-GDM participants (median age 31.5 years).
  • Women with GDM had higher rates of overweight/obesity (44.4%) compared to non-GDM participants (39.5%).
  • Low physical activity during early pregnancy was significantly associated with increased GDM risk (OR = 2.041, 95% CI: 1.577-2.644).
  • Elevated total cholesterol levels partially mediated the relationship between low physical activity and GDM risk.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings from Shanghai Jiao Tong University Update Understanding of Gestational Diabetes (Differential Impact of Early Versus Mid-Pregnancy Physical Activity on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: The Mediation Effect of Blood Lipid Profiles). Obesity & Diabetes Week. September 15, 2025; p 748.
  • Diabetes. Differential Impact of Early Versus Mid-Pregnancy Physical Activity on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: The Mediation Effect of Blood Lipid Profiles. 2025;41(6).
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine.