Background: Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common
medical health problems that may occur during pregnancy and may lead to a range of
short and long-term maternal, fetal as well as neonatal complications. However, recent
researches have revealed that, walking exercise has been considered as a ‘gold standard'
in controlling blood glucose level and body mass index among gestational diabetic
women.Aim: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of walking exercise on
controlling blood glucose level and body mass index among gestational diabetic women
Subjects and method: A quasi-experimental study design was utilized at Antenatal Clinic of
Obstetric and Gynecological Specialty Center at Mansoura University Hospitals,
Mansoura city. A purposive sample conducted on 126 pregnant women diagnosed with
gestational diabetes mellitus, The study sample was divided into two groups,intervention
group (n= 63):practiced walking exercise in addition to routine antenatal care and control
group (n= 63): followed routine antenatal care only.Tools: Two tools were used to collect
data from participants as a structured interview schedule and maternal assessment record.
Results:The current study resultsindicated that, there was a highly statistical significant
reduction of body mass index and the mean random blood glucose levels at 34 & 37 weeks'
of pregnancy after intervention in the walking exercise group than control group (p <
0.001). ConclusionandRecommendations: This study showed that, pregnant women with
gestational diabetes mellituswho practiced walking exercisehad improved blood glucose
level and body mass index than those who did not. It is recommended that, pregnant
women with gestational diabetes mellitusshould practice walking exercise during
pregnancy as one of the significant modalities to improve blood glucose level and body
mass index.