New research has found that obese mothers who develop gestational diabetes while pregnant, and who put on more weight after giving birth, are 43 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than slim women.
The study, published in the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, highlighted the rise in gestational diabetes, drawing parallels with the alarming epidemic of type 2 diabetes.
The research, carried out in the US, pinpointed that for every 11 pound increment of weight after the development of gestational diabetes, the sufferer stands a 27% higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
Women with a BMI of 30 or more, who had gained 5kg or more after developing gestational diabetes, were found to be 43 times more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; this was in comparison to women with a BMI of 25 or less, who had gained the exact same amount.
Interestingly, the findings held up across all of their subjects, regardless of age, family history of diabetes, diet or physical activity levels.
Commenting on the findings, Janet Fyle of the Royal College of Midwives said: “This research underlines the need for women to start their pregnancy in optimal health at a healthy weight, and to maintain this during and after their pregnancy.”
