Adults may be able to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes as they age simply by setting diet and exercise goals and sticking to those goals.
Adults may be able to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes as they age simply by setting diet and exercise goals and sticking to those goals.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can no longer properly use the blood-sugar regulating hormone insulin, causing blood sugar levels to soar. The disorder is closely linked to obesity, but studies in adults have shown that regular exercise can prevent or delay its onset.
Researchers studied 352 men and women aged 50 to 65 years old in Finland who were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, to evaluate the effectiveness of Goal Lifestyle Implementation Trial. Weight, body mass, waist size and blood sugar was evaluated in all the participants. The group participated in 6 lifestyle goal-setting sessions over 8 months, in which a dietitian and physical activity specialist helped them set and plan out individual diet and exercise goals. All the participants were followed up at 12 months and again at 36 months.
It was found that older men and women who self-monitored their behaviour and set healthier diet and physical activity goals not only lost weight and body mass over a year, but maintained their losses after 3 years.
The 266 men and women evaluated after 3 years lost 1 kg on average - a higher average weight loss (0.8 kg) than that seen at the 1-year follow-up. These participants had also maintained declines in body mass achieved after 1 year.
In addition, at the start of the study, 65 participants showed impaired tolerance to blood sugar, a precursor to full-blown type 2 diabetes. Forty-three percent had returned to normal blood sugar tolerance levels at year 3, while 12 percent developed diabetes.
The researchers suggested that this low-cost approach could have a public health impact on diabetes prevention if the program reaches a major proportion of those at risk.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can no longer properly use the blood-sugar regulating hormone insulin, causing blood sugar levels to soar. The disorder is closely linked to obesity, but studies in adults have shown that regular exercise can prevent or delay its onset.
Researchers studied 352 men and women aged 50 to 65 years old in Finland who were at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, to evaluate the effectiveness of Goal Lifestyle Implementation Trial. Weight, body mass, waist size and blood sugar was evaluated in all the participants. The group participated in 6 lifestyle goal-setting sessions over 8 months, in which a dietitian and physical activity specialist helped them set and plan out individual diet and exercise goals. All the participants were followed up at 12 months and again at 36 months.
It was found that older men and women who self-monitored their behaviour and set healthier diet and physical activity goals not only lost weight and body mass over a year, but maintained their losses after 3 years.
The 266 men and women evaluated after 3 years lost 1 kg on average - a higher average weight loss (0.8 kg) than that seen at the 1-year follow-up. These participants had also maintained declines in body mass achieved after 1 year.
In addition, at the start of the study, 65 participants showed impaired tolerance to blood sugar, a precursor to full-blown type 2 diabetes. Forty-three percent had returned to normal blood sugar tolerance levels at year 3, while 12 percent developed diabetes.
The researchers suggested that this low-cost approach could have a public health impact on diabetes prevention if the program reaches a major proportion of those at risk.
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