A new long-term study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) finds that, contrary to popular belief, limiting weight gain and exercising do not prevent diabetes in obese adults who have elevated blood sugar. The results of this study may change how some experts approach diabetes prevention. Read on to learn more about the latest research findings and what it means for you if you have a family history of diabetes or are at risk of developing this condition yourself.
The search for a diabetes cure
Although there is no known cure for diabetes, researchers are constantly working to find new ways to prevent and treat the disease. A recent study has provided some insight into how diabetes develops and how it can be prevented.
Diet is important, but lifestyle is too
We all know that diet is important when it comes to diabetes prevention, but a new long-term study has shown that lifestyle is just as important. The study followed a group of people over the course of 20 years and found that those who made lifestyle changes (like exercising more and eating a healthy diet) were much less likely to develop diabetes than those who didn’t make any changes.
The results from the study
The results of the study showed that lifestyle changes can indeed prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. The study also found that these changes are more effective when started early, before pre-diabetes sets in.
The study was called DIABeat and it was run by The Danish National Centre for Social Research in Denmark. It involved 12,000 people who were enrolled in a survey in 1997 and followed for 18 years until 2015. In that time, 2,198 participants developed type 2 diabetes. Participants who didn’t change their diet or lifestyle from when they were first surveyed were three times more likely to develop diabetes than those who adopted healthier behaviours over time. It also found that changes made between 1997 and 2003 had a bigger impact than later changes made between 2003 and 2013.
Conclusions from the study – what do we take away?
The study found that certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These include maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. The study also found that these lifestyle changes can be more effective in preventing diabetes than taking medication.
This is a very important study that adds to what we already know about how to prevent diabetes. Studies like these can often be criticized for not showing exactly how effective lifestyle changes can be in preventing type 2 diabetes, but even so, it does appear that eating a healthy diet and being physically active are critical for helping reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, just recently it was revealed that there has been a 60% increase in new cases of diabetes in men between 1995 and 2011, whereas women have remained relatively stable. There are various reasons behind these trends including higher rates of obesity among men, but studies like these highlight just how vital prevention is when it comes to diabetes.
Talk to your doctor about the best ways for you personally to manage your diabetes.
The study found that certain lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These include:
- -eating a healthy diet
- -maintaining a healthy weight
- -being physically active every day
- -limiting alcohol intake
- -staying away from tobacco products.
Your doctor will then tailor a treatment plan to help you manage your diabetes and prevent future complications, such as heart disease and kidney failure. You should meet with your doctor at least every six months to stay up to date on your health goals and review new or updated treatment plans that they may have developed for you. These visits are important because regular monitoring can help ensure your overall well-being and detect any warning signs of serious illness early.
