Physical Activity and Body Composition in Children and Their Mothers According to Mother's Gestational Diabetes Risk: A Seven-Year Follow-Up Study.

Marja H Leppänen,Jani Raitanen,Henri Vähä-Ypyä,Pauliina Husu,Riitta Luoto,Urho M Kujala,Pipsa Pa Tuominen

doi:10.3390/medicina55100635

Marja H Leppänen, Jani Raitanen + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina55100635

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: There is lack of knowledge on whether mothers’ gestational diabetes (GDM) risk is related to their physical activity (PA) or their children’s PA and body composition. We aimed to examine the difference in (1) change in self-reported PA from pre-pregnancy to seven-year follow-up and (2) accelerometer-based PA at seven years after delivery between the mothers having GDM risk (GDMRyes-mothers) and not having GDM risk (GDMRno-mothers). Furthermore, we examined the difference in children’s PA and/or body composition at six years of age according to their mothers’ GDM risk. Materials and Methods: The study included 199 Finnish women. GDM risk factors were screened at the beginning of pregnancy, and the women were classified as GDMRyes-mothers if they had at least one GDM risk factor (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2; age ≥40 years; family history of diabetes; GDM, signs of glucose intolerance, or newborn’s macrosomia (≥4500 g) in earlier pregnancy) or as GDMRno-mothers if they had no risk factors. Mothers’ PA was assessed by self-reporting at 8–12 gestational weeks concerning pre-pregnancy PA and at a follow-up seven years after the delivery. Moreover, mothers’ and their children’s PA was measured using a triaxial Hookie AM20-accelerometer at seven years after delivery. Children’s body composition was assessed using a TANITA bioelectrical impedance device. Adjusted linear regression analyses were applied. Results: GDMRno-mothers increased their self-reported PA more than GDMRyes-mothers from pre-pregnancy to the seven-year follow-up. Concerning women’s measured PA as well as children’s PA and body composition at seven years after delivery, the differences were non-significant between GDMRyes-mothers and GDMRno-mothers. However, of the GDM risk factors, mothers’ pre-pregnancy body mass index was positively related to unhealthier body composition in boys at six years of age. Conclusion: Health promotion should be targeted at women with GDM risk factors, in particular overweight women, in enhancing women’s PA in the long term and their children’s healthy body composition.

Highlights

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a complication of pregnancy that is associated with higher risk of adverse health outcomes for both the mother and offspring [1]
Since part of the women participated in the RCT, we investigated whether there were differences on physical activity (PA) outcomes by categorizing the exposure variables in four groups: (1) intervention or (2) usual care group in the RCT, (3) excluded from the RCT due to GDM, and (4) excluded from the RCT due to the lack of GDM risk factor
We found a significant association between mothers’ pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) with all body composition measurements (BMI, FM%, fat mass index (FMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI)) in boys

Summary

Introduction

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a complication of pregnancy that is associated with higher risk of adverse health outcomes for both the mother and offspring [1]. There is lack of knowledge on whether mothers’ gestational diabetes (GDM) risk is related to their physical activity (PA) or their children’s PA and body composition. We examined the difference in children’s PA and/or body composition at six years of age according to their mothers’ GDM risk. GDM risk factors were screened at the beginning of pregnancy, and the women were classified as GDMRyes-mothers if they had at least one GDM risk factor (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 ; age ≥40 years; family history of diabetes; GDM, signs of glucose intolerance, or newborn’s macrosomia (≥4500 g) in earlier pregnancy) or as GDMRno-mothers if they had no risk factors. Concerning women’s measured PA as well as children’s PA and body composition at seven years after delivery, the differences were non-significant between GDMRyes-mothers and GDMRno-mothers.

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