Prevalence and concordance of cardiometabolic risk markers and health behaviour among couples after a gestational diabetes mellitus‐affected pregnancy

AbstractAimsThis study investigated the prevalence and concordance of cardiometabolic risk markers among couples after a gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)‐affected pregnancy. It also examined whether selected demographic, socioeconomic and health behavioural factors could explain within‐couple associations.Materials and MethodsA cross‐sectional study design was used. We included health examinations and questionnaire data from couples assessed 12 weeks after a pregnancy affected by GDM. We determined the prevalence and concordance of cardiometabolic risk markers (overweight or obesity, high waist circumference, metabolic syndrome, impaired fasting glucose [≥6.1 mmol/L], and stage 1 hypertension or more [≥130 mmHg/≥80 mmHg], along with health behaviour [dietary quality and physical activity]).ResultsA total of 196 couples were included. Overweight or obesity was present in 63.3% of women and 71.9% of partners, with concordance observed in 50.5% of couples. By comparison, 78.6% of women and 55.1% of partners had high waist circumferences, which was concordant in 48.5% of couples. Metabolic syndrome was identified in 9.2% of women and 24.0% of partners, suggesting a higher occurrence among partners with concordance in 5.1% of couples. Impaired fasting glucose was observed in 7.7% of women and 9.2% of partners, with concordance in 1.5% of couples. Stage 1 hypertension or more was observed in 31.1% of the women, 55.6% of the partners and concordant in 8.2% of couples. Cardiometabolic risk markers were associated within couples.ConclusionsDetecting GDM in women may serve as an opportunity to identify partners at risk, underscoring the potential of couple‐based or family‐focused interventions.