Lifestyle A Key Approach for Minimizing Risk of Diabetes

In that poor diet, being sedentary, and carrying excess weight are significant risk factors for type 2 diabetes, William C. Knowler and the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group (US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Maryland, USA) assessed data collected on more than 3,800 men and women who showed impaired glucose tolerance, but not diabetes, in 1996.  For a period of 2.8 years, the study participants either participated in an intensive program of diet and exercise, or were assigned to the placebo group.  During the ten-year follow-up period, the researchers found that those subjects who were assigned to diet and physical activity modifications reduced their risk of a later diagnosis of Type-2 diabetes by 34%.(as compared to those in the placebo group).  The team comments that:   “Prevention or delay of diabetes with lifestyle intervention … can persist for at least 10 years.”