Issue 175 Item 11 Physical Fittness Prevents Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes can be prevented even with a strong family history of diabetes

To investigate the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and the incidence of type 2 diabetes among Japanese men. A prospective cohort study was conducted in 4,747 nondiabetic Japanese men, aged 20–40 years at baseline, enrolled in 1985 with follow-up to June 1999. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured using a cycle ergometer test, and Vo2max was estimated. During a 14-year follow-up, 280 men developed type 2 diabetes.

The age-adjusted relative risks of developing type 2 diabetes across quartiles of cardiorespiratory fitness (lowest to highest) were 1.0 (referent), 0.56 (95% CI 0.42–0.75), 0.35 (0.25–0.50), and 0.25 (0.17–0.37) (for trend, P < 0.001). After further adjustment for BMI, systolic blood pressure, family history of diabetes, smoking status, and alcohol intake, the association between type 2 diabetes risk and cardiorespiratory fitness was attenuated but remained significant (1.0, 0.78, 0.63, and 0.56, respectively; for trend, P = 0.001).
In conclusion, the results showed a strong inverse relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and the development of type 2 diabetes. This relationship was independent of age, BMI, family history of type 2 diabetes, alcohol intake, and smoking status. We conclude that maintaining a high cardiorespiratory fitness level may contribute to the prevention of type 2 diabetes.
These results indicate that a low cardiorespiratory fitness level is an important risk factor for incidence of type 2 diabetes among Japanese men. Diabetes Care 26:2918-2922, 2003 See First Step Program

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Did YOU KNOW:
Blueberry Hamburgers for Your Health
Researchers have been experimenting with adding fruit such as blueberries into beef, chicken and turkey burgers. The fruit makes the burgers more nutritious by adding antioxidants and decreasing fat content, improves texture by making juicier burgers, and helps berry farmers sell their crops.
Other fruits such as cherries and prunes have also been added to burgers. Members of the fruit industry are beginning to compete for shares of the fruit-filled burger market as interest in the product increases. Researchers are planning taste tests for the fruit burgers and hope to offer the new burgers to the federal school lunch program. The Washington Post August 4, 2003; Page A13