Gestational diabetes and health behaviors among women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2014

Abstract

Introduction Women with gestational diabetes are at 7 times greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes than are women without gestational diabetes. The objectives of this study were to examine recent changes in the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus among women of reproductive age in the United States and assess the prevalence of factors associated with participating in healthy lifestyle behaviors. Methods Data were from 4 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2014). Gestational diabetes was identified by participants' response to whether they were ever told by a health care professional that they had diabetes during pregnancy. The health behaviors were participation in physical activity, healthy dietary patterns (intake of cholesterol, sodium, and fiber within recommended guidelines), and smoking. The analytical sample included 3,034 women aged 20 to 44 years. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between gestational diabetes and health behaviors. Results The overall prevalence of gestational diabetes was 8.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6%-10.4%) during 2007-2014. The prevalence increased from 8.4% in 2007-2008 to 10.4% in 2013-2014, an increase of 24%, but the change was not significant (P = .28). The proportions of women meeting recommended guidelines for the health behaviors did not change significantly. We found no significant difference in practicing healthy behaviors between women with gestational diabetes and women without gestational diabetes. Conclusion The prevalence of gestational diabetes increased slightly in recent years, and women with the condition were generally not meeting guidelines for healthy behaviors. Coordinated interventions are needed to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among women with gestational diabetes because they are at increased risk for diabetes.