Studies have demonstrated that engaging in physical activity could reduce type 2 diabetes risk even among individuals who carry high genetic susceptibilities for this condition.
Research found that increased total physical activity levels, specifically moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, was strongly correlated with reduced type 2 diabetes risk.
The study findings demonstrate the significance of increasing physical activity levels as an effective strategy against type 2 diabetes.
This study involved 59,325 UK Biobank participants wearing activity trackers on their wrists at the outset and being followed for approximately seven years to evaluate health results.
The UK Biobank is an extensive database and resource that stores anonymized genetic, health and lifestyle data from over half a million participants.
Te data included genetic markers linked with increased type 2 diabetes risk. Individuals with a genetic risk score that was high had 2.4 times the risk of type 2 diabetes when compared with individuals who had low genetic risk scores.
Study results revealed that engaging in moderate to vigorous physical activity for over an hour each day was associated with a 74% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes compared to individuals engaging in less than five minutes of daily physical activity.
After taking into account other factors, including genetic risk, the result remained consistent.
Encouragingly, those with the highest genetic risks in the most physically active group had reduced type 2 diabetes risks compared to individuals in the least physically active group who possessed lower genetic risks.
Family history and genetic risk cannot be changed, but with an active lifestyle it appears possible to reduce many of the excessive type 2 diabetes risks.
Moderate intensity physical activity refers to activities that make you sweat and leave you slightly breathless, such as gardening and walking at a fast pace.
Vigorous-intensity physical activities include cycling uphill or at a fast pace, aerobic dancing, running, and heavy gardening (digging), all activities which will cause you to breathe heavily or leave you breathless.
