Introduction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between exercise and type 2 Diabetes among the pregnant women in the aboriginal population of Saskatchewan. This is a relatively recent study in that it took place in 2003. The prenatal exercise program was an off shoot of a larger study into prenatal gestational diabetes mellitus.(GDM) The initial study was restricted to pregnant aboriginal women with previous GDM.

Interested parties

Parties that have a vested interest in the study outcome include the funding agency National Health Research and Development Program. The Aboriginal community at large and the participants in the study will also have an interest in the outcome. While not identified as a party to the study the Saskatoon district health region should be very interested in the possible benefits to the general health of this group.

Process

The exercise program was developed to accommodate the expectant mothers in the study group. The possible study participants were surveyed to ascertain what features would be important to the target group of women. The location chosen was centrally located. The study included a cultural component that was considered in the development of the exercise program. The study was voluntary and free of charge and open to all pregnant aboriginal women in the city. They were required to have a medical release that that showed they were medically fit to participate. The three pages that were presented go into great detail on the mechanics of the study but omits any mention of results.

Recommendations

This study has identified a serious issue that needs to be pursued. However it fails to explain the continued need in terms of the study results.

This opportunity to advance physical fitness and lifelong learning should continue as a community health program.

This study included a cultural and social component that allowed the participants to develop a support network.

Conclusion

This study as it was seems to be missing several elements. There are no results of the initial study that explain the need to broaden the scope. There needs to be some published results of this study in order to determine if the program is beneficial to the participants. This study needs to justify the original funding and it has not done so with the information that was provided. The addition of the exercise class is not a part of the original study but does not seem to take anything away from it. The additional participants probably enhanced the experience for the original study participants.

References

Klomp, H., Dyck, R., and Sheppard, S. (2003). Description and evaluation of a prenatal exercise program for urban Aboriginal women. Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 27: 231–238.