Purpose/objectives: To analyze the cultural and ethnic impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), report the associated complications, and investigate how lifestyle interventions are effective in preventing these associated complications.
Methods: A literature review was conducted using online databases like CINAHL and Cochrane review. Findings were limited to journal articles published between 2012 and 2017. Irrelevant and relevant articles were determined by research topic, specific population, and type of interventions.
Results: Due to the growing rate of Hispanics, this ethnic group will have the most impact of GDM. There is a link between the prevalence of GDM and being classified as obese or overweight among women of childbearing age. Differences in perinatal outcomes were noted in different ethnicities especially between Hispanic and Caucasian women. Higher prevalence of GDM did not equal higher impact. In fact, the ethnicity with the highest rate tends to have the lowest impact. Lifestyle interventions reduced the rate and impact of complications of GDM.
Conclusions: There is ethnic variation on the impact of GDM, with the Hispanic women having the most prevalence. Lifestyle interventions such as diet and exercise should be the first-line therapy for all women with GDM.
Keywords: Ethnic variations; evidence-based interventions; gestational diabetes mellitus.