Table 5 Comparison of demographic characteristics and outcome variables between intervention (n = 17) and control groups (n = 17)

Age (years) (range: 25–41)

33.59 ± 4.19

34.00 ± 4.17

33.18 ± 4.31

0.567

0.575

<35

16

7

9

0.472

0.492

≥ 35

18

10

8

Gestational age (weeks) (range: 11–14)

12.56 ± 0.79

12.47 ± 0.80

12.65 ± 0.79

-0.649

0.521

Gestational weight gain (Kg) (range: -3-7.9)

2.00 ± 2.42

2.32 ± 2.39

1.67 ± 1.87

0.768

0.448

Pre-pregnancy BMI (Kg/m²)

3.256

0.354

<18.5

2

1

1

18.5–23.9

16

10

6

24-27.9

13

4

9

≥ 28

3

2

1

Education

0.000

1.000

High school or below

6

3

3

University degree or above

28

14

14

Employment

4.963

0.084

Housewife

7

1

6

Part time

4

3

1

Full time

23

13

10

Monthly household income (per person per month)

0.917

0.632

<¥5000 (about US$747)

12

6

6

¥5000–9000 (about US$747–US$1344)

16

7

9

≥¥9000 (aboutUS$1344)

6

4

2

Number of pregnancies

3.767

0.439

1

5

3

2

2

15

8

7

3

8

3

5

4

4

3

1

5

2

0

2

Parity

2.866

0.239

First delivery

11

7

4

Second delivery

21

10

11

Third delivery

2

0

2

Family history of type 2 diabetes

3.238

0.072

Yes

6

5

1

No

28

12

16

Polycystic ovary syndrome

1.030

0.310

Yes

1

1

0

No

33

16

17

Previous macrosomia

0.000

1.000

Yes

2

1

1

No

32

16

16

Previous fetal anomaly

0.134

0.714

Yes

11

5

6

No

23

12

11

Previous hydramnion

1.030

0.310

Yes

1

1

0

No

33

16

17

Repeated colitis

0.000

1.000

Yes

2

1

1

No

32

16

16

Planned pregnancy

0.234

0.628

Yes

29

15

14

No

5

2

3

Having a habit of regular physical activity before pregnancy

1.121

0.290

Yes

11

5

6

No

23

12

11

Learning physical activity knowledge

1.074

0.300

Yes

15

7

8

No

19

10

9

The incidence of GDM

32.3% (10/31)

26.7%(4/15)

36.5% (6/16)

0.416

0.519