Physical activity gives the greatest benefits to young people’s insulin resistance
Children who exercise a lot in their early teens can slash the risk of getting Type 2 diabetes as adults, researchers found.
Type 1 or 2 diabetes affects millions of people, while others have Type 2 but are unaware of it as they have not been diagnosed.
Physical activity gives the greatest benefits to young people’s insulin resistance, a study led by the
University of Exeter reveals.
That resistance leads to high blood sugar and is a precursor to Type 2 diabetes – also linked to rising obesity levels and bad diets.
The university’s Dr Brad Metcalf said: “Insulin resistance rises dramatically from age nine to 13, then falls to the same extent until 16.
“We found physical activity cut this early-teen resistance peak but had no impact at 16 years of age.” He said the findings had implications for future interventions to cut children’s insulin resistance.