Post-partum weight loss and glucose metabolism in women with gestational diabetes: the DEBI Study

Aims Women with gestational diabetes are at high risk for developing diabetes; post‐partum weight loss may reduce the risk of diabetes. We evaluated the association of post‐partum weight change with changes in glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in a subsample (n = 72) of participants from Diet Exercise and Breastfeeding Intervention (DEBI), a randomized pilot trial of lifestyle intervention for women with gestational diabetes. Methods Glucose and insulin were measured fasting and 2 h after an oral glucose tolerance test at 6 weeks and 12 months post‐partum. Women were categorized by weight change (lost > 2 kg vs. maintained/gained) between 6 weeks and 12 months post‐partum. Results Compared with women who maintained or gained weight, women who lost > 2 kg experienced significantly lower increases in fasting glucose [age‐adjusted means: 0.1 mmol/l (95% CI –0.03 to 0.3) vs. 0.4 mmol/l (95% CI 0.3–0.6); P