Last Updated on April 17, 2024
We all know the effects diabetes is having on adults all across the Untied States and the world. As the number of new diabetes diagnoses continues to grow, we are looking for ways to prevent diabetes beginning at a younger age. A study has shown links between exercise and preventing diabetes later in life.
A recent study released in Annals of Internal Medicine has shown that fitness in children could impact the chances of diabetes in later years. The research was conducted by Dr. Casey Crump and analyzed data from Swedish Military records. The data included over 1.5 million men. The initial measurements were taken when the men were around the age of 18 and data went through to the age of 62 for some participants. The study looked at tests that measured their strength and aerobic capacity.
The results of the study showed that young men with lower cardio fitness capabilities and muscle strength were at a higher risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. These results eliminated the factors of weight, financial status, and family history. The results could have significant implications for reducing diabetes in adults, as well as reinforcing the idea that diabetes isn’t always directly linked to obesity.
Why does poor activity levels in children impact diabetes later in life? There are several ideas on the connection. The first is the most obvious one: teenagers that have poor exercise habits and poor muscle strength will more than likely have the same poor habits and poor muscle strength later in life, which will increase diabetes risk.
The results of this study are important for diabetics and parents of children at risk for diabetes, but this study is just a starting point according to Dr. Crump. He says that more research will need to be done to reveal the reasons for the connection between the lack of exercise in children and diabetes in adults. As more research becomes available, we could see a stronger link between early fitness and later health complications.
Aerobic fitness and muscle strength are essential to reduce the chances of being diagnosed with diabetes. Aerobic fitness has been shown to increase oxidation enzymes that helps break down fatty acids and improve insulin sensitivity. Aerobic activity can be anything from jogging to dancing. Anything that keeps your heart rate stimulated for an extended period.
Children should have at least 60 minutes of exercise every day. This is 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous exercise. While getting the appropriate amount of exercise is important, especially for children and teenagers, only about half of kids in the United States are getting the recommended 60 minutes every day. The small percentage of children exercising during their childhoods could be one of the causes that so many adults are becoming diabetic later in life.
While countless studies have shown the positive effects of exercise on children, only six states in the United States require physical education classes in every grade and only 20% of school districts require a daily recess period. Because so many children are falling short of the 60 minutes mark, there are dozens of programs that are working to encourage exercise and play. The Presidential Youth Fitness Program is a nationwide program that looks to encourage physical fitness in schools. The Presidential Youth Fitness Program assists physical education teachers in measuring and improving youth’s fitness levels.
Scientists for hundreds of years have understood the need for regular physical exercise, but as we gain more information, it seems as if exercise could be more important than we initially thought. Exercise is vital for children’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Instead of watching TV with your kids every night, go outside and throw a ball or play tag, they will thank you for it later.
