Effect of Dietary and Physical Activity Counseling on Blood Glucose Level of Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Lucknow – A Quasi-experimental Study

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as “Any degree of glucose intolerance with onset or first detection during pregnancy.” Counseling motivates to follow the lifestyle modifications, especially related to dietary changes and physical activity. Objective: To determine the effect of dietary and physical activity counselling on blood glucose level. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty-eight pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were divided into two groups. Women in Group 1 received an individualized diet plan and one-to-one counseling regarding the diet and physical activity and reminder phone calls, while women in Group 2 received usual antenatal care with a diet plan for management of GDM and no reminder phone calls were done. Results: The pregnant women with GDM in the two groups were not significantly different in terms of sociodemographic variables such as age, religion, education, socioeconomic status, occupation, type of family, and family history of diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The study concluded that counseling women about GDM and individualized diet plan helps women with GDM to achieve glycemic control.