Ben LawsonObese women who develop diabetes during pregnancy and continue to gain weight after giving birth are 43 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
Pregnant women sometimes develop gestational diabetes, but it often disappears after giving birth.
However, researchers discovered that obese women who develop the condition and gain 11 pounds or more after pregnancy have a much greater chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.
More than 1,700 women who had developed gestational diabetes between 1991 and 2001 took part in the study.
The study's lead researcher said, "Our findings show the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight both before and after pregnancy."
No matter what a woman's prepregnancy weight was, her risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increased by 27 percent for each 11 pounds gained after having gestational diabetes. (Video via CBS)
Another recent study has shown that nearly half of all women who become pregnant gain too much weight during pregnancy. A person's body weight is known to be a contributing factor for Type 2 diabetes.
But diabetes doesn't pop up overnight. Doctors say it could take as long as 15 years for the condition to fully develop. (Video via U.K. National Health Service)
Researchers say their findings provide a strong link between gestational diabetes and weight gain, leading to the long-term form of the disease.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
