Maternal Factors and their impact on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in the Maldives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58676/sjmas.v3i7.140Keywords:
Maldives Maternal Health, South Asian Population, Pre-pregnancy BMI, Maternal Risk Factors, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)Abstract
Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant public health concern globally, with a growing burden in South Asian countries, including the Maldives. South Asian women are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance and often experience GDM even at lower levels of adiposity. This study investigates maternal factors influencing the development of GDM among Maldivian women, aiming to inform risk stratification and preventive strategies.
Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 137 postpartum Maldivian women within two years of delivery. Participants self-reported demographic, obstetric, and lifestyle information via an online survey. Key variables included maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG), parity, maternal birth weight, family history of diabetes, prior GDM history, nutrition, physical activity, and smoking. Statistical analysis, including logistic regression, was used to identify significant predictors of GDM.
Results: The prevalence of GDM in the sample was 34.3%. Statistically significant risk factors included maternal age ≥30 years (p = 0.0026), high pre-pregnancy BMI (p < 0.001), low maternal birth weight (p = 0.0014), family history of diabetes (p = 0.0334), and prior diagnosis of GDM (p < 0.001). Unhealthy eating patterns and lack of physical activity were also more common in the GDM group. Multivariate analysis confirmed previous GDM, family history, and low birth weight as the strongest predictors of GDM.
Conclusion: This study highlights the considerable influence of both modifiable (diet, BMI, physical activity) and non-modifiable (maternal age, birth weight, genetics) maternal factors on the development of GDM in the Maldivian population. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions, preconception counselling, and culturally adapted prenatal education to reduce GDM incidence and its intergenerational consequences.
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