To Your Health
August, 2024 (Vol. 18, Issue 08) |
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Diabetes Hates Movement
By Editorial Staff
The harsh reality is that far too many people are suffering from diabetes – and many of them don't even know it. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 40 million Americans are diabetic, of whom approximately 9 million are unaware of their condition.
Lack of exercise is one of the contributing factors to diabetes (type 2); but fortunately for diabetes sufferers, movement is also one of the best ways to combat the disease and its complications – the most severe being death. For example, recent research suggests sitting time is associated with mortality; the less diabetics sit, the lower their risk of dying.
In the study, which analyzed data from the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for individuals 20 years of age or older with diabetes per ADA criteria, researchers categorized participants as inactive, insufficiently active or active based on their weekly physical activity. Inactive diabetics (fewer than 10 minutes per week of physical activity) were more likely to die from any cause during the study period compared to active diabetics (at least 150 minutes of activity per week). Findings appear in Diabetes Care, a research journal published by the American Diabetes Association.
Keep in mind that physical activity isn't the only variable that can influence your risk of developing – or developing complications from – type 2 diabetes. Weight and diet are two other modifiable risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
