Postnatal Lifestyle Intervention for Overweight Women With Previous Gestational Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with a sevenfold increased lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes. Excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention are established predictors of long-term obesity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of a postnatal lifestyle intervention program for overweight women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (PAIGE). DESIGN: Postnatal overweight women with previous GDM participated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial between June 2013 and December 2014. The intervention comprised a 1-hour educational program, a free 3-month referral to a commercial weight management organization (Slimming World), a pedometer, and structured telephone and text support, in addition to usual care. The control group received usual care only. The primary outcome was weight loss at 6 months. RESULTS: Sixty women were randomized (29 intervention; 31 control) in two centers based on their week of attendance. The intervention group demonstrated significant weight loss at 6 months after randomization compared with the control group: mean ±SD, 3.9 ± 7.0 kg vs 0.7 ±3.8 kg (P = 0.02). Blood glucose levels did not significantly differ. With respect to well-being measures, a bodily pain was significantly reduced in the intervention group (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: PAIGE resulted in significantly greater weight loss at 6 months compared with usual care. Such weight loss could prove beneficial in terms of better long-term health and subsequent prevention of type 2 diabetes in overweight women with previous GDM. Future interventions must consider recruitment strategies, timing of the intervention, and inclusion of partners and/or other family members.