Other Factors
Knowledge is necessary for compliance with dietary and
physical activity recommendations, however, knowledge of
healthy behaviors does not always translate into adoption of
healthy behaviors in women with GDM or during the postpartum period ). Various factors other than knowledge affect
whether or not health behaviors of women with GDM will
be adopted. These factors include self-efficiency, health beliefs,
risk perception and social support .
Women with GDM may possess the knowledge that
GDM increases the risk of negative health outcomes later
in life, but they do not always recognize this global risk as
a personal risk . It is important to assess
the risk perception of women with GDM regarding the risk
for development of negative cardiometabolic outcomes later
in life such as development of metabolic syndrome. Promoting self-effiacy in women with GDM
may help translate possession of health related knowledge
into health behaviors, such as healthy
diet and exercise. Finally, childbirth educators need to be
politically active to promote healthy environmental policies
that include development of safe areas for physical activity, limiting advertisement of unhealthy foods and encourage consumption of local fruits and vegetables