PURPOSE: Women of childbearing age with prediabetes (PD) or gestational diabetes (GD) can reduce their odds of diabetes by engaging in physical activity (PA). This study examined the odds of meeting the current United States aerobic activity (AA), muscle-strengthening activity (MSA), both, or neither recommendation(s), according to diabetes risk status (DRS).
METHODS: Women (N=282,302) ages 18-44 who participated in the 2011, 2013, 2015, or 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey were categorized by DRS: no diabetes (ND), diabetes (DM), or high risk for diabetes (HRD). Logistic regression models stratified by body mass index (underweight [<18.5], desirable weight [18.5-24.9], overweight [25.0-29.9], and obese [≥30.0]) were fitted, controlling for potential confounders.
RESULTS: Compared to the ND referent group, overweight women with DM had significantly (p≤0.05) lower odds of meeting the AA recommendation (OR 0.83, CI 0.67-1.00). Overweight women considered HRD were less likely to meet the MSA recommendation (OR 0.81, CI 0.68-0.97) and more likely to not meet either recommendation (OR 1.20, CI 1.03-1.40). Among women in the desirable weight group, those considered HRD had lower odds of meeting MSA only (OR 0.72, CI 0.61-0.85) or both recommendations (OR 0.77, CI 0.64-0.93). Desirable weight women with DM had greater odds of not meeting either recommendation (OR 1.43, CI 1.12-1.82).
CONCLUSIONS: Increased AA and MSA in women at risk for diabetes may benefit maternal outcomes. Strategies targeting the determinants of PA should be considered to increase participation.