Attempts at Weight Loss in U.S. Women with and without a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Background and ObjectiveGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Relatively modest weight loss can delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. The objective of this study was to determine, using a nationally representative survey, whether among women without diabetes, those with a history of GDM (hGDM) were more likely than those without hGDM to be currently attempting weight loss.MethodsThis study used data from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a national, population-based, random-sample telephone survey. Women aged 18 to 44 years without diabetes who answered questions related to current weight loss activity were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was currently attempting weight loss. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between hGDM and currently attempting weight loss.ResultsWe included 53,608 women without diabetes: 1,260 (2%) with hGDM, and 52,348 (98%) without hGDM. Among women with hGDM, 53% were currently attempting weight loss compared with 47% of women without hGDM. Overall, after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, and medical insurance, compared with women without hGDM, those with hGDM had 20% higher odds of currently attempting weight loss (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.49); however, among obese women (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2), compared with women without hGDM, those with hGDM had 46% lower odds of currently attempting weight loss (95% CI, 0.35–0.82).ConclusionsObese women with hGDM are less likely to be currently attempting weight loss compared with those without hGDM. Effective interventions for obese women with hGDM are needed.