Physical Activity and Its Association with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Pregnant Women in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy and has a high prevalence in Saudi Arabia. GDM increases the risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Glycemic severity, represented by the continuous 1 h plasma glucose value from the diagnostic two-hour 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), may provide additional insight into glycemic status among women with GDM. Physical activity (PA) plays a vital role in maternal health. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the associations between PA and glycemic severity among pregnant women with GDM in Saudi Arabia and to identify factors associated with glycemic severity. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 96 pregnant women during routine second-trimester visits at a maternity clinic in Riyadh. PA was assessed using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Glycemic severity was assessed using the continuous 1 h plasma glucose value obtained from the diagnostic two-hour 75 g OGTT. Results: One-way ANOVA demonstrated a significant association between PA levels and glycemic severity (F = 2.78; p < 0.04). Multiple linear regression identified low-intensity PA, non-employment, and smoking during pregnancy were significantly associated with higher glycemic severity (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study identifies a significant association between PA and glycemic severity. Furthermore, employment status and smoking were also significantly associated with glycemic severity. These findings suggest that PA and other modifiable lifestyle factors play role in glucose regulation during pregnancy. However, the cross-sectional design precludes any inference of causality.