Telephone-based lifestyle education reduces gestational diabetes risk by 60% in high-risk Iranian women
Key takeaway:
A 12-week telephone-based lifestyle education program reduced gestational diabetes risk by 60% in high-risk Iranian women compared to routine prenatal care, with additional benefits for weight management and self-care behaviors.
Study at a glance
What was studied
Telephone-based lifestyle education to prevent gestational diabetes in high-risk Iranian women
Study type
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
duration
Short-Term (≤3 mo)
Intervention
Telephone counseling
Outcomes
Gestational diabetes mellitus incidence, BMI, Treatment adherence
Funding
Non-industry sponsored
Main effects
↓ Gestational diabetes incidence (10.0% vs 24.4%, 60% relative risk reduction)
↓ BMI increase during pregnancy (0.6 vs 1.3 kg/m²)
↑ Adherence to healthy diet, physical activity, and glucose monitoring
Evidence Summary
| Intervention | Outcome | Measured Change | Study Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Telephone counseling (Behavioral & Lifestyle) |  BMI (Weight & Anthropometrics) | Decrease | Mixed |
Telephone counseling (Behavioral & Lifestyle) |  Gestational diabetes mellitus incidence (Clinical Outcomes) | Decrease | Strong |
Telephone counseling (Behavioral & Lifestyle) |  Treatment adherence (Adherence & Engagement) | Increase | Strong |
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Evidence Suggest
- Telephone-based lifestyle education reduced gestational diabetes risk by 60% in high-risk pregnant women
- The intervention was associated with better weight management during pregnancy
- Women receiving telephone counseling had significantly better adherence to self-care behaviors including healthy eating (75% vs 50%), regular physical activity (68% vs 45%), and blood glucose monitoring (63% vs 44%)
Who this applies to
This intervention was tested in high-risk pregnant women in Iran with at least two major risk factors for gestational diabetes including high BMI (≥30 kg/m²), family history of diabetes, previous gestational diabetes, or previous delivery of a large baby. Participants were ages 18-35 and less than 12 weeks pregnant at enrollment.
Keep in Mind
This study was conducted in Iran where dietary patterns, healthcare access, and cultural factors differ from Western populations. The intervention was delivered in Persian and incorporated traditional Iranian foods into healthy eating recommendations. Results may not directly translate to other settings. The study relied on self-reported measures of adherence to diet and physical activity, which participants may have overestimated. Because participants knew their group assignment, placebo effects and reporting bias may have influenced results. The study did not follow participants after delivery to assess long-term outcomes for mothers or babies.
Between the Lines
- Participants and care providers were not blinded to treatment assignment, which could introduce bias
- Adherence to self-care behaviors was self-reported, raising potential for reporting bias and overestimation of compliance
- The intervention was culturally tailored to Iranian dietary patterns and may not generalize directly to other populations
- Long-term maternal and neonatal outcomes beyond 28 weeks were not assessed
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Journal Reference
Gorjian Z, Nabhani N, Zahedi A. Telephone-based lifestyle education to prevent gestational diabetes in high-risk Iranian women: a randomized trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2026;26:340. doi:10.1186/s12884-026-08830-x
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