Prevalence and Determinants of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Suburban Population

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) presents significant risks to maternal and neonatal health, with varying prevalence globally.Understanding its determinants in specific populations can guide targeted interventions and improve health outcomes.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of GDM and its associated risk factors in a suburban population.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 pregnant women attending suburban community health centers.Data on demographic, lifestyle, and clinical variables were collected.GDM was diagnosed based on the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria.Statistical analyses included logistic regression to determine odds ratios (ORs) for potential risk factors.The prevalence of GDM in the study population was 15%.Significant risk factors for GDM included age 30 years (OR=2.5,95% CI: 1.5-4.1,P=0.003), family history of diabetes (OR=3.1,95% CI: 1.8-5.3,P=0.001), and a high sugar diet (OR=2.5,P=0.001).A sedentary lifestyle and irregular meal patterns were also associated with increased GDM risk (OR=2.2 and 1.9, respectively).Overweight and obesity were strong predictors of GDM, with ORs of 2.3 and 3.5 for BMI ranges of 25-29.9 and 30, respectively.The study highlighted that both non-modifiable (age, family history) and modifiable (diet, lifestyle) factors significantly influence the risk of developing GDM in a suburban population.These findings suggest the necessity of targeted screening and preventive strategies that focus on modifiable lifestyle adjustments in at-risk groups.