XI Conference – European Congress of Methodology

Effect of Physical Activity on Total Gestational Weight Gain, Adherence to IOM 2009 Recommendations, and Incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

23 Jul 2025, 11:30

30m

Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication. (The Pyramid)/. - Foyer (Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication. (The Pyramid))

Poster Applications/Substantive areas Poster Session 1

Speakers

Javier Ibias Martín (Facultad de Psicología UNED) Marta Fornos Rodríguez (Facultad de Psicología, UNED. Área Sanitaria III Avilés (Asturias))

Abstract

Purpose: Physical activity can reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational weight gain (GWG). This meta-analysis aims to (a) examine the effect of physical activity on GWG and GDM incidence and (b) identify potential moderators.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Clinical Trial databases. For total GWG, the standardized mean difference was used to estimate the effect size, calculating Hedge’s g and its variance. The log OR was calculated for the proportion of women exceeding IOM recommendations and GDM incidence. A random-effects method (DerSimonian-Laird) was used to estimate the overall effect size and inter-study variance. Moderator analysis was also conducted.

Results: The effect size of physical activity on total GWG was statistically significant (0.24, p < 0.001), with high heterogeneity (72.65%, p < 0.001). The effect on the log OR of exceeding IOM recommendations was also significant (-0.48, p < 0.001), with significant heterogeneity (73.66%, p < 0.0001). The effect size on GDM incidence was moderate and significant (-0.48, p < 0.05), with significant but lower levels of heterogeneity (51.96%, p < 0.05). Pre-pregnancy overweight status significantly affected total GWG and the log OR of exceeding IOM recommendations. Supervised activity and timing of intervention were significant for GDM incidence (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). The type of physical activity also significantly affected the log OR of exceeding IOM recommendations (p < 0.001) and GDM incidence (p = 0.027).

Conclusions: Physical activity reduces total GWG, the proportion of women exceeding IOM recommendations for total GWG, and GDM incidence. Overweight status, supervised activities, and aerobic/mixed exercises enhance these effects. On the other hand, factors such as diet, activity duration, and frequency appear to be less relevant.