Physical activity in the prevention of type 2 diabetes: the Finnish diabetes prevention study.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that lifestyle changes can prevent type 2 diabetes, but the importance of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is still unclear. We carried out post hoc analyses on the role of LTPA in preventing type 2 diabetes in 487 men and women with impaired glucose tolerance who had completed 12-month LTPA questionnaires. The subjects were participants in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, a randomized controlled trial of lifestyle changes including diet, weight loss, and LTPA. There were 107 new cases of diabetes during the 4.1-year follow-up period. Individuals who increased moderate-to-vigorous LTPA or strenuous, structured LTPA the most were 63-65% less likely to develop diabetes. Adjustment for changes in diet and body weight during the study attenuated the association somewhat (upper versus lower third: moderate-to-vigorous LTPA, relative risk 0.51, 95% CI 0.26-0.97; strenuous, structured LTPA, 0.63, 0.35-1.13). Low-intensity and lifestyle LTPA and walking also conferred benefits, consistent with the finding that the change in total LTPA (upper versus lower third: 0.34, 0.19-0.62) was the most strongly associated with incident diabetes. Thus increasing physical activity may substantially reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals.
Laaksonen
David E
DE
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Food and Health Research Center, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, Finland.
Lindström
Jaana
J
Lakka
Timo A
TA
Eriksson
Johan G
JG
Niskanen
Leo
L
Wikström
Katja
K
Aunola
Sirkka
S
Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
Sirkka
S
Laakso
Mauri
M
Valle
Timo T
TT
Ilanne-Parikka
Pirjo
P
Louheranta
Anne
A
Hämäläinen
Helena
H
Rastas
Merja
M
Salminen
Virpi
V
Cepaitis
Zygimantas
Z
Hakumäki
Martti
M
Kaikkonen
Hannu
H
Härkönen
Pirjo
P
Sundvall
Jouko
J
Tuomilehto
Jaakko
J
Uusitupa
Matti
M
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012307:Risk Factors; D016138:Walking; D015431:Weight Loss