| Abstract: | Objectives.?We designed this study to assess the potential effects of physical activity and dietary habits on glucose tolerance during pregnancy.Methods.?This is an observational study involving 268 women who underwent a 50-g oral glucose challenge test (GCT) at 27?±?6.9 week of gestation. Plasma glucose level at 1-h GCT?≥140 mg/dl was used to define abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT). Physical activity was evaluated using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), while for dietary habits we used a food frequency questionnaire linked to a computerised program.Results.?One hundred five women had AGT (AGT+) and 163 had normal glucose tolerance (AGT?). There was no difference between the two groups in demographic and clinical data, with the exception of pre-pregnancy BMI and weight gain both higher in AGT+ women. Also, all parameters referring to physical activity energy and diet (Kcal and diet components) were not statistically different between the two groups. After a multivariate analysis, only pre-pregnancy BMI (F-value 9.264, p?=?0.002) remained an independent predictor of 1-h plasma glucose.Conclusions.?Our study suggests that high pre-pregnancy BMI confers a substantially high risk of AGT, independently of lifestyle during pregnancy. |
