Specific Metabolic Characteristics of Women With Former Gestational Diabetes: the Importance of Adipose Tissue

• Published in: Physiological research Vol. 66; no. Suppl 3; pp. S349 - S356
• Main Authors: VEJRAZKOVA, D., VANKOVA, M., LUKASOVA, P., VCELAK, J., CIRMANOVA, V., HALUZIK, M., BENDLOVA, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Republic Institute of Physiology 26.09.2017
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Adipose Tissue - metabolism; Adolescents; Age; Birth weight; Body composition; Body Composition - physiology; Body fat; Body mass index; Breast feeding; Breast Feeding - trends; Breastfeeding & lactation; Children; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - epidemiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Diabetes, Gestational - epidemiology; Diabetes, Gestational - metabolism; Families & family life; Female; Gestational diabetes; Health risk assessment; Humans; Insulin resistance; Metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology; Metabolic Syndrome - metabolism; Neonates; Nursing; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Obesity - metabolism; Population; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy complications; Risk Reduction Behavior; Studies; Tissues; Women; Womens health
• ISSN: 0862-8408; 1802-9973
• DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933726

Women with a positive history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome later in life. The higher risk of these metabolic complications is closely associated with adipose tissue. In this review, the importance of adipose tissue is discussed in relation to GDM, focusing on both the quantity of fat deposits and the metabolic activity of adipose tissue in particular periods of life: neonatal age, childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy followed by nursing. Preventive measures based on body composition and lifestyle habits with special attention to the beneficial effects of breastfeeding are also discussed.