Gestational diabetes mellitus management among obese women in primary health care settings in Qatar: a comprehensive review

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a major public health concern because of its association with adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. The clinical burden is particularly high among women with obesity, who commonly enter pregnancy with pre-existing insulin resistance and an elevated risk of excessive gestational weight gain, hypertensive disorders, operative delivery, and future type 2 diabetes. Qatar has a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes, and recent national data indicate that gestational diabetes affects a substantial proportion of pregnancies. Primary health care services are therefore central to early risk assessment, screening, nutrition therapy, glucose monitoring, pharmacological treatment, referral, and postpartum prevention. This narrative review examines the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, screening, diagnosis, and evidence-based management of gestational diabetes among women with obesity in Qatar. It emphasizes individualized medical nutrition therapy, safe physical activity, appropriate gestational weight-gain targets, self-monitoring of blood glucose, timely initiation of pharmacological therapy, multidisciplinary care, and structured postpartum follow-up. The review also addresses culturally relevant dietary practices, language and health-literacy barriers, digital-health opportunities, and the need for stronger continuity between antenatal and long-term primary care.