Effect of a Lifestyle Intervention Program in Women at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes with a History of GDM

Healthy lifestyle habits, such as good diet and physical activity, are modifiable factors to prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and other obesity-related morbidities. The Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) is a simple, fast, and inexpensive tool to identify individuals at high risk for T2DM. The aim of the study was to verify whether the risk to develop T2DM,assessed by FINDRISC questionnaire, should be reduced by a 6-month lifestyle intervention among women with a history of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Among 255 females with a history of GDM, 88 non-pregnant Caucasian women were recalled. At baseline, their current glycemic status was revisited by a 75 gr OGTT. Every three months, they received an individual counseling session about healthy diet, physical activity, and diabetes and other risk factors management, maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. At every visit scheduled anthropometric parameters were assessed and FINDRISC questionnaire was administered. All the modifiable factors improved after educational intervention. During the study, the mean risk of T2DM development, as assessed by FINDRISC, was significantly reduced by – 2.18 points from baseline. Lifestyle intervention programs may have a significant effect in people at high risk to develop diabetes. In Italy, action should be taken to encourage women with GDM in order to allow the prevention and/ or the early detection of T2DM.