‘Eat right to avoid gestational diabetes’ - Times of India

Patna: As cases of gestational diabetes are on the rise among women these days, proper care is needed for child’s safe birth and mother’s health. A recent survey conducted ahead of Mother’s Day found that gestational diabetes was more prevalent in older women. Over 50% of women above 35 years of age are suffering from it in the country.
The study also highlighted the relation of such diabetes with obese women. Surprisingly, the data showed that women in tier II towns are more prone to gestational diabetes than their counterparts in the tier I or metro cities.
The survey was conducted by BeatO that provides a complete digital healthcare ecosystem for diabetes. The motive was to reflect the challenges faced by mothers to be. Though diabetes in general is more common in metro cities because of the lifestyle and food habits, the survey found that in case of pregnant women, those residing in metro cities showed slightly less cases of gestational diabetes, compared to those in tier II towns or beyond that.
The study described weight as an important risk factor for gestational diabetes. As per the survey, 70% of pregnant women suffering from gestational diabetes were obese or overweight. It was also prevalent in older women, with 50% of those above 35 years having gestational diabetes. “Pregnant women in the age group of 18 to 25 years were the least susceptible with a GDM rate of just 3%,” the report said.
Noted diabetologist of the city, Dr Shubhask Kumar, said women in metro cities regularly go for antenatal check-up and remain in consultation with a doctor since the beginning of their pregnancy. “However, women in rural areas rely on mid-wives. They seek proper medical help only when the delivery date nears and get to know about gestational diabetes very late, thereby posing a risk to themselves as well as the baby. We do get such cases frequently,” Dr Kumar added.
He said there are cases when gestational diabetes is not detected during the first pregnancy. However, in the second pregnancy, it is more prominent. “Proper check-up during pregnancy is a must. Gestational diabetes has several risks like big babies who cannot be delivered through natural way. Such children are genetically prone to develop diabetes,’ he added.
Clinical chief officer of the firm which did the survey, Dr Navneet Agrawal, stressed on the need to maintain weight before planning for pregnancy in order to avoid gestational diabetes. He said, “Although the disease can result in several harmful effects, it can be avoided by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Prior to and during pregnancy, a mother can lower the chances of developing diabetes in herself as well as in her offspring. A few simple yet crucial lifestyle changes for mothers-to-be include maintaining a healthy weight when ready to conceive and staying physically active throughout pregnancy.”

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‘Eat right to avoid gestational diabetes’ - Times of India
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