Poster Presentation International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups 2022 - Hosted by ADIPS

The effect of COVID lockdown on physical activity in postpartum women with gestational diabetes (#85)

Cellina Ching 1 2 , N Wah Cheung 1 2 , Clara Chow 2 3 4
  1. Dept of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
  2. University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Westmead Applied Research Centre, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Department of Cardiology, Westmead hospital, Westmead , NSW, Australia

Introduction

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. Its rising prevalence is of concern not only due to its known association with perinatal complications but its long term 6-7 fold increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus which has substantial individual and public health burdens. Lifestyle interventions targeting diet and exercise shown to prevent progression of pre-diabetes have been applied to women with gestational diabetes. However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic led to lockdowns and social distancing policies to reduce the spread of disease across many countries which also resulted in a reduction in physical activity and increase in weight. We explored how lockdown impacted on the exercise habits of this vulnerable postpartum population.

Methods

This was an observational sub study of Smart Mums With Smart Phones 2 (SMs2), a randomised controlled trial postpartum lifestyle intervention for women with GDM. It targeted weight, diet and physical activity using text messages customised from activity monitor data. Women were supplied with a wrist worn activity monitor as part of the intervention, which could track their step count. We compared the step count of women at 1-3 months postpartum with 3-5 months postpartum before lockdown and also interrupted by lockdown to assess the effect of progression of physical activity from delivery. We also compared women who were of similar times postpartum before and after lockdown to assess the effect of lockdown on step count.

Results

We found that there was no significant increase in steps based on months after delivery. However, there was an increase in step count during lockdown as compared to before lockdown which contrasts to trends found for the general population.

Conclusion

There are several possibilities that may explain these results including the change in caregiver roles, altered social and working demands and potentially a more motivated cohort already enrolled in a lifestyle intervention. Concerns that lockdown might increase diabetes risk for these women because of reduced physical activity are unfounded.