Diabetes: “non-sedentarization” would be better than physical activity
Sitting less often and moving about would be more effective than increasing physical activity (sports, for example) in reducing the risk of contracting type 2 diabetes. The fact of not “being sedentary” would therefore be a much more important factor. than doing intense physical activity.
This conclusion comes to us from the press office of the University of Leicester (see link, in English, at the bottom of the page). We report to you, through this article, the main lines of this study.
Prescribe less sedentary activities rather than more exercise
What emerges from this study is that the prescription of less sedentary activities, rather than prescribing more exercise, should be preferred for patients at risk of type 2 diabetes. Experts even suggest that reducing the time of activity sessions that are often prescribed (reducing them by 90 minutes in total per day) could lead to significant benefits.
The outline of the study
Currently patients with this type of diabetes are, in some countries, invited to engage in physical activity considered “moderate to intense”, and this for at least 150 minutes per week.
But this new study, published in Diabetologia (journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes) suggests that it is the time spent being sedentary that is important (mainly time sitting or lying down).
The research was carried out by Joseph Henson and his colleagues from several departments including the Diabetes Research Unit (a division of the University of Leicester).
Henson and his colleagues analyzed the behavior of 153 patients:
- Some from the “STAND” project (a study on sedentarization and diabetes, average age 33 years and 29% men)
- And for others from the “Walking Away from Diabetes study” project (a study on how to move away from diabetes, average age 64 years and 65% male).
The team examined the consequences of different activities (sedentary activities, or intense physical activities) on an individual’s metabolism, independently between activities. In order to establish, concretely, the factors influencing cardiovascular risks, for example.
Accelerometers were therefore used to assess “sedentary time” as well as to assess “non-sedentary time”.
Findings
The researchers found that, for those patients with known risk factors for type 2 diabetes, “sedentary time” was associated with negative consequences for diabetes (blood sugar and cholesterol in particular).
Furthermore, the results were consistent with various age groups, proving that the negative consequences of excessive sedentarization exist in all age groups: young and old.
Interestingly, sedentary time has been shown to have more disastrous consequences on metabolism (compared to type 2 diabetes) than the sum of all other physical activity during a day.
“These studies provide preliminary evidence that sedentary behavior may be a more effective way to target type 2 diabetes prevention, rather than just focusing on physical activities,” Henson said.
He concludes: “This approach requires a paradigm shift, so that people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes think about balancing their sedentary behaviors with their physical activity throughout the day. »
Another interesting fact: Henson’s study repeatedly mentions BMI.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.