ABSTRACT
Obesity is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The hazardous combination of overweight and obesity with GDM increases the risks involved with GDM or obesity alone. It seems that while glycemic control is of utmost importance in GDM, the role of obesity may be even more critical than previously believed. Apart from the well-established correlation between type 2 diabetes among nonpregnant women and obesity, attempts have been made to further elucidate the association between obesity and GDM. Dell'Agnolo and colleagues found that women who underwent bariatric surgery had less obesity-related comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Their infants were more likely to be appropriate-for-gestational-age and be born at term. The hazardous combination of overweight and obesity with GDM increases the risks involved with GDM or obesity alone. Prepregnancy and early pregnancy interventions aimed at weight loss are efficacious in reducing overweight, obesity, and GDM-related complications.
