Getting up to Talk at Work Could Lower Diabetes Risk

In a new study, scientists have found that people who cut the amount of time they spend sitting down by 90 minutes could drastically reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Simply through leading a less sedentary lifestyle, your risk of this condition could be cut, leading scientists in Leicester to question whether the advice on physical activity should be amended to reflect this discovery. They suggest that sitting down less during the day could actually pose a more positive effect than going to the gym!

Official advice currently states that you should get around 150 minutes of activity each week to stay healthy, but this new study suggests that being less sedentary all the time could prove more effective in helping to boost your health and lower your risk of this lifestyle-related disease. The blood glucose and cholesterol levels which contribute towards your type 2 diabetes risk are improved in people who don’t spend long hours sitting down, more so than in those who do plenty of exercise. The evidence found through the study suggests that your attitude and general lifestyle count more than the level of physical activity you’re doing each week.

Type 2 diabetes tends to affect middle-aged people, as the body starts to lose its ability to process blood sugar levels around this time which leads to the organs deteriorating and the body not performing as effectively. Lifestyle factors such as weight, diet and physical activity all play a part in your risk of developing this condition. Doctors strongly advise that you eat a balanced diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables, as well as being low in sugar and fat, in addition to getting plenty of exercise. However, this study highlights the importance of not just limiting that activity to once or twice a week in order to stay healthy.