A study published in the journal Lancet has said that 150 minutes a week of walking can reduce the chance of diabetes by 27%. Over six months of this exercise regimen, chances of weight loss was 5-7%. The exercise proved better than common diabetes drug metformin, which reduced diabetes chances by 18%. The study was conducted over 15 years, the first of its kind, on those who had a high chance of developing diabetes.
According to experts, Though it is difficult to maintain a structured lifestyle with exhaustive exercise and regular diet control, it works far better under supervision than otherwise... Although structured diet programmes are difficult to maintain over long periods, it is encouraging to note that nutrient intake among participants in the lifestyle intervention was maintained for up to 9 years... The results of the group with supervised protocol were much better than the one on placebo, which received no supervision... It is important to start intensive exercise in the initial months. It is found that those who start structured exercises and diet control in early years are more protected than those who begin late.
The experiment also showed that women who were prone to the disease had a high chance of organ damage as well. Women are more affected by insulin resistance. Also, factors such as weight due to pregnancy and menopause - and the failure or inability to lose the weight - contribute to diabetes.
Say the experts, Studies of long duration often reveal surprises and disappointments. For example, the new data show that the benefits of lifestyle modification have become lower than that reported in the last follow-up (diabetes incidence rates 34% at 10-year follow-up) and are now closer to those seen with the use of metformin... A limited study of the kind on the Indian population is also on its way.