Future implications of obesity, gestational hypertensive disorders and diabetes to health and longevity - the significance of lifestyle intervention

The association of obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are early warning to future compromise of women's health and longevity in the form of later life hypertension and overt diabetes mellitus and their complications, as was shown in some large population-based studies. The association of these two pathologies with maternal obesity is significant. The most efficient approach to preempt future consequences is a modification of lifestyle, leaning mostly on two pillars, dietary approach and physical activity, a comprehensive form of intervention that copes with all three, i.e. obesity, gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus. These interventions are discussed in this review as well as the most efficient ways of implementing them. All sources point to a major role for personalized approaches and some form of group support.

Abbreviations: HT – hypertension, GDM – Gestational diabetes mellitus, GHTN – Gestational hypertension