Diabetes accounts for nearly 10% of global deaths among people aged 20 to 99 and is the fourteenth leading cause of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide due to factors like urbanization, nutrition, the elderly population, genetics, and lifestyle changes.1 An often-overlooked factor is gestational diabetes mellitus, which leads to glucose intolerance during pregnancy.2 Women with gestational diabetes often develop diabetes within three to six years after delivery, perpetuating a cycle of obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and NCDs across generations. Breaking this cycle is now more crucial than ever.3
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), according to the World Health Organization, is characterized by carbohydrate intolerance leading to elevated blood sugar levels, with variable severity, first recognized during pregnancy. It is a very common metabolic disorder in pregnancy. Insulin resistance increases during pregnancy due to the development of carbohydrate intolerance.4
Adiponectin, which has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects, is present in low levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This decrease is associated with increased insulin resistance during pregnancy, playing a role in the onset of GDM. Insulin resistance, resulting from the β-cells’ failure to secrete insulin properly, may also be affected by maternal adiposity.5
The rising prevalence of GDM is primarily driven by modifiable risk factors like obesity, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and pre-existing insulin resistance, which can be reduced through early interventions. GDM has long-term effects on both the mother and offspring, influencing health outcomes across generations.
