Abstract
AimsFew studies have evaluated the effect of weight change from pre-pregnancy to post-partum with the risk of cardiometabolic diseases among women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between weight change from pre-pregnancy to 1-5years post-partum with metabolic syndrome among Chinese women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus.
MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study in 1263 women with gestational diabetes mellitus at 1-5years post-partum. Participants were divided into four groups based on their weight change from pre-pregnancy to 1-5years post-partum: loss of3kg,3kg, gain of 3-7kg and gain of7kg.
ResultsThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 12.1%, 16.2%, 26.0% and 44.3% among women with weight loss3kg, stable weight (3kg), weight gain 3-7kg and weight gain7kg from pre-pregnancy to post-partum, respectively. The positive association between weight change and metabolic syndrome was observed among women with pre-pregnancy normal weight (BMI<24kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI 24-27.9kg/m(2)) and obesity (BMI28kg/m(2)). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was almost similar among pre-pregnancy normal weight women with weight gain7kg, pre-pregnancy overweight women with stable weight (3kg) and pre-pregnancy obese women with weight loss3kg from pre-pregnancy to post-partum (P=0.62).
ConclusionsWomen with gestational diabetes mellitus who had large weight gain from pre-pregnancy to post-partum were more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. Women who are pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and also diagnosed as gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy need more weight control after delivery.