More moderate to vigorous physical activity could reduce type 2 diabetes risk

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Higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity could help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to recent research. GCShutter/Getty Images
  • Recent research suggests that higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may more effectively reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes compared with lower MVPA levels.
  • These findings were strongest in adults 62 years or younger, though older adults still saw benefits in reducing the risk.
  • Experts advise that aerobic exercise and resistance training can be beneficial in helping reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and manage prediabetes.

Physical inactivity is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes. There are around 40 million people in the United States with some type of diabetes, and type 2 diabetes accounts for around 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases.

Type 2 diabetes can develop if the body does not make enough insulin or if it does not respond to insulin correctly. Overweight, age, and conditions such as prediabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are also risk factors.

New research published in August in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism suggests that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in particular, could help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in adults.

The researchers examined data from almost 88,000 participants in the UK Biobank. They found that individuals in the lower-MVPA group had twice the relative risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared with those in the higher-MVPA group.

The largest relative risk reduction was observed in adults under 63 years of age.

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