Once thought to be a disease only older people were prone to, diabetes is increasingly affecting people of all age groups. And the research continues to point to obesity and overweight as the top risk factors.
Clearly, loosing weight and getting in shape should be the top priority if you have diabetes.
Staying fit can reduce complications
Two recent studies provide further evidence that overall fitness is critical for proper diabetes management. One recent study reported in the Journal of Women’s Health, showed a dramatic rise in hospitalization for young women with diabetes in recent years. In the study, women age 20-29 saw a sharp increase in hospitalizations due to complications from diabetes. The increase correlated closely with obesity among this group of women, who are more likely than their male counterparts to be overweight.
Another recent study from The RAND Corporation and the University College London compares the incidence of diabetes in the US to that in England, along with corresponding risk factors. In this study, researchers found distinct correlation between diabetes and belly fat. When additional lifestyle factors were considered, the two primary factors emerged:
- American’s eat more processed, fatty foods
- The English get twice as much exercise, walking 10,000 steps on an average every day compared to about 5,000 steps for Americans
As our lifestyle continues to feature more automation, Americans are needing more exercise and getting less.
Short term and long term benefits of exercise
Increased physical activity helps everyone, but you get additional benefits as a diabetic. First and foremost, exercise helps make use of the extra glucose in your blood. In some patience with pre-diabetes or milder cases of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, a combination of diet and exercise alone can reduce or eliminate the need for medication. And having better control of your blood glucose levels helps keep complications with kidneys, nerve damage and blood vessels at bay.
Further, reducing the amount of fat cells in your mid section, where critical organs are doing their work has long term benefits. Research has shown that the presence of these fat cells affects facors that directly impact diabetes, such as the amount and types of hormones produced. Additionally, belly fat (also known as abdominal or central obesity) has long been a know risk factor for other conditions associated with diabetes, such as heart disease and problems with arteries.
Don’t turn your back on one of the most effective methods of diabetes control
Staying fit is difficult for everyone, but slightly more complicated if you have diabetes. While the benefits to exercising when you’re diabetic are numerous, it’s easy to let this important health care activity slide due to fear and lack of knowledge. Talk to your doctor about what type of exercise plan would be right for you, and what types of precautions you should take.
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