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Diet and physical activity are cornerstones in prevention and treatment of Gestational Diabetes (GDM) though some caution may be required under specific circumstances. The aims of this study were to evaluate activity habits during pregnancy and contraindications to physical activity in women at risk for GDM. 536 pregnant women (age 35 ± 5 years; gestation week 25 ± 4; pre-pregnancy BMI 24.6 ± 12.9 kg/m2), selective screened for GDM, filled out a standardized questionnaire recording physical activity during pregnancy. Of 536 women, 73.4% reported regular exercise before pregnancy and 95.5% of them continued during pregnancy. 8.2% had absolute contraindications to exercise, such as placenta praevia /vaginal bleeding and incompetent cervix/cerclage. Physical activity during the last month was reported by 66.2% of women; frequency was 1–2 times/week (44%); intensity was light (83%) and duration on average (44%) 20–40 min/day. 48% of women spent most of their time in sedentary behaviors (sitting). Among women with GDM, physical activity was associated with better metabolic profile and lower needed of insulin therapy. Women at risk for GDM spent most of their time in sedentary behaviors, despite a low prevalence of contraindications to exercise. Therefore, our data call for the need of motivational counseling aimed to implement physical activity during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise has been proved to be safe during pregnancy and to offer benefits for both mother and fetus; moreover, physical activity may represent a useful tool for gestational diabetes prevention and treatment. Therefore, all women in uncomplicated pregnancy should be encouraged to engage in physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. However, exercise in pregnancy needs a careful medical evaluation to exclude medical or obstetric contraindications to exercise, and an appropriate prescription considering frequency, intensity, type and duration of exercise, to carefully balance between potential benefits and potential harmful effects. Moreover, some precautions related to anatomical and functional adaptations observed during pregnancy should be taken into consideration. This review summarized the suggested recommendations for physical activity among pregnant women with focus on gestational diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]