A new study reports that just 20 minutes of daily physical activity is enough to be the difference between the onset of diabetes or dodging that bullet in at-risk children.
The study, reported in JAMA, randomly assigned over 200 overweight or obese grade school students to 20 or 40 minutes of supervised aerobic activity five days a week, or to a control group in which habitual activity (or lack thereof) was maintained, for a period of 13 weeks. The primary study outcome was insulin sensitivity, a potent marker of Type 2 diabetes risk; and secondary measures included fitness, and fatness.
Both doses of physical activity significantly improved insulin sensitivity, suggesting diabetes prevention over time. The 40-minute dose exerted a greater effect, but 20 minutes a day was clearly enough to matter.
The higher dose of activity was more effective than the lower at reducing weight and body fat, but both were significantly better than control. And in the case of fitness, measured formally with peak oxygen consumption, both doses were comparably effective, and both much better than control, i.e., doing just about nothing.
So while more exercise is better, some — and a rather small “sum,” at that — can do a remarkable amount of good. If we know — and it seems we do — that fitting 20 minutes of activity in during every school day can be enough to prevent diabetes in a large and growing percentage of our kids, it’s hard to believe we would fail to act on that knowledge.
That much more so when we consider that a daily dose of exercise is likely to enhance academic performance, rather than interfere with it. “Sound mind, sound body” should sound familiar, because it’s the kind of sensible advice our grandparents gave us. Science now points in the same direction, it just took longer to get there.
By David Katz, M.D., Director, Yale Prevention Research Center
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rolls out the red tomato carpet at NY Fashion Week with a behind the scenes look at hat designer, Evetta Petty‘s Spring 2013 Hat Collection.
Register now for ’Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’ - our largest free diabetes outreach event of the year promoting a diva attitude for living well with diabetes scheduled for Saturday, October 13, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA.
‘Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes’, mixes free beauty and fashion services, a Plus Size fashion show and music with interactive diabetes education in a fun, comfortable setting to broaden the appeal of diabetes educational outreach for women. Our goal is to make every woman feel more beautiful inside and out through the help of a team of certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and beauty and fashion experts.
Saturday, October 13, 2012, 11 AM – 4 PM
Jefferson Alumni Hall , First Floor Eakins Lounge 10th and Locust Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19107
FREE ADMISSION
Register: 1-800-JEFF-NOW
HEALTHY DINING OUT ADVICE Tune in to Divabetic’s Free monthly Diabetes Podcast inspired by Taylor Swift featuring expert advice on dining out, grocery shopping and a frank, fashion forward discussion on diabulimia, Diabetes Numerology self-care games along with ‘diagnosis to DIVA’ stories http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/09/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-mystery-diva
Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.
For sponsorship opportunities and upcoming outreach event details visit: www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s Facebook’s Group and Fan pages.
Tags: benefits of exercise, childhood obesity, diabetes and exercise, diabetes prevention, diabetes risks, exercise, fast workouts, fitness, Fitness America, healthy kids, new weight loss, physical activity, preventing diabetes, short workouts, women health
