Link between diabetes and weight
Gestational diabetes is defined as diabetes that has its onset during pregnancy. It has long been known that patients with gestational diabetes run a higher risk of getting diabetes later in life. Most patients get a grace period after the pregnancy where the blood sugars normalise and some may never get Diabetes.
A recent study done in Huddinge Hospital in Sweden focused on a number of women who contracted gestational diabetes. A large percentage of the women developed insulin resistance, a precursor to Diabetes and became overweight. Within 15 years, 29% of the women developed insulin resistance and over 50% doubled their weight. In the control group (similar people but not having been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during their pregnancy) none of these changes were seen.
The study suggests that if you are diagnosed as having diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance during your pregnancy then you should get your blood sugars checked regularly.