Diabetes is a serious health problem growing globally, people of almost all ages are at risk. Health experts say that lifestyle and dietary irregularities are considered to be the main reasons for this. Everyone from children to the elderly can fall prey to it. Health experts are concerned about the increasing risk of diabetes in women, especially the problem of diabetes during pregnancy is emerging as a major risk.
Data shows that more than 537 million (about 53.7 crores) people are living with diabetes worldwide. Gestational diabetes has been a major part of this. According to an estimate, more than five million (50 lakhs) pregnant women may have diabetes. By the year 2040, the number of women suffering from diabetes is expected to increase to 31 crores. Gestational diabetes can affect the health of both mother and child, so measures should be taken to control it in time.
In a recent study on the prevention of this increasing diabetes at the global level, researchers have suggested an effective way, by keeping in mind that you can stay safe from the risk of diabetes.
Prevention of gestational diabetes
A team of scientists from Sweden conducted a study to understand how diabetes can be prevented during pregnancy. Researchers found that if body weight is controlled, more than half of the cases of gestational diabetes can be avoided. Scientists found that women who had a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 had a higher risk of diabetes during pregnancy.
On this basis, the researchers said, that if weight is controlled before pregnancy, not only can you avoid gestational diabetes, but also the complications of pregnancy and side effects in children can be reduced.
What do the researchers say?
Researchers from Linkoping University in Sweden said that obesity or the problem of being overweight causes increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin secretion, which increases the risk of diabetes. The problem of being overweight can also increase many other problems related to pregnancy.
Maryam Shirvanifar, author of this study published in The Lancet Public Health Journal, said, we have concluded that about half of the cases of gestational diabetes can be prevented. This study has been done on women born in Sweden, although it applies to all parts.
Know about gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes, as the name suggests, is first diagnosed during pregnancy. Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes also affects health in many ways. Due to diabetes during pregnancy, the blood sugar level remains high, which affects the health of both the pregnant woman and the child.
If you have diabetes during pregnancy, then usually the sugar level becomes normal after delivery. However, such women have been seen to be at a higher risk of developing type-2 diabetes later.
Effect on child's health
Due to diabetes during pregnancy, the child may have problems of being overweight at birth. Sometimes due to excess weight, children get stuck in the birth canal. Apart from this, due to complications, the baby can be born prematurely, which is considered to have many complications. Babies born prematurely are at risk of many respiratory problems.
Health experts say that by following measures like a healthy diet, and exercise during pregnancy, you can control your weight, which can help in avoiding problems caused by diabetes.
(PC: ISTOCK)
