Modifiable Risk Factors and Long-term Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Individuals With a History of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Prospective Cohort Study

( BMJ. 2022;378:e070312) About 8% of US pregnancies are complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors, and undiagnosed diabetes can cause potentially irreversible cardiovascular, renal, or neurological damage. Those affected by GDM are at a heightened risk for type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between modifiable risk factors [body mass index (BMI), high-quality diet, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption, and not smoking] and risk of progression to type 2 diabetes in patients who have experienced GDM. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether these associations varied by BMI or genetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.