title: Physical activity in the prevention of type 2 diabetes: the Finnish diabetes prevention study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Food and Health Research Center, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, Finland.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Laaksonen
authors.forename: Jaana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: Timo A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Lakka
authors.forename: Johan G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Niskanen
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wikström
authors.forename: Sirkka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aunola
authors.forename: Sirkka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
authors.forename: Mauri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laakso
authors.forename: Timo T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ilanne-Parikka
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Louheranta
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hämäläinen
authors.forename: Merja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rastas
authors.forename: Virpi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Salminen
authors.forename: Zygimantas
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cepaitis
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hakumäki
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaikkonen
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Härkönen
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sundvall
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tuomilehto
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uusitupa
mesh_terms: 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