Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is carbohydrate intolerance of varying degrees that begins during pregnancy or is first diagnosed during pregnancy. 4% of pregnancies are complicated by GDM. History of diabetes in first-degree relatives, history of GDM in previous pregnancies, body mass index over 30 kg/m2, significant weight gain during pregnancy, and maternal age over 25 are among the primary risk factors for gestational diabetes in pregnant women. Gestational diabetes; It causes serious maternal and fetal complications such as the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the mother, traumatic birth, preeclampsia, cesarean delivery, macrosomic baby, and congenital malformations.~It is known that healthy lifestyle behaviors are as effective as genetic factors in the development of diabetes. Lifestyle behavior modification is an essential component of gestational diabetes management. Studies show that 70-85% of pregnant women can control diabetes only with lifestyle changes. Protective health behaviors such as being at an ideal weight, eating healthy, exercising regularly and not smoking prevent the development of gestational diabetes. As a result of the Finnish Gestational Diabetes Prevention Study (RADIEL), it was found that physical activity and dietary intervention decreased the incidence of GDM by 36% in high-risk women. It is important that these preventive health behaviors are adopted and maintained by the pregnant woman. For this purpose, it is necessary to determine the problems in the process of acquiring behaviors that protect and improve health and prevent negative behaviors. Self-efficacy level plays an important role in initiating and maintaining preventive health behaviors. Education on preventive health behaviors can improve and improve self-care behaviors by increasing the self-efficacy level of women at risk of gestational diabetes.
There are studies in the literature showing that there is a decrease in the number of pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes and improvements in parameters related to maternal and infant health, with the education to be given to pregnant women at risk of gestational diabetes on preventive lifestyle practices such as healthy nutrition, physical exercise, and coping with stress. The aim of this study; For pregnant women at risk of gestational diabetes; education on preventive health behaviors; It is to determine the level of knowledge about GDM, risk perception and its effect on healthy living behaviors.