Q. Can physical activity, like walking, help prevent Type II Diabetes for those who are at high risk?
A: Simply, Yes! The results of a major federally funded study, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), showed that moderate diet and exercise resulting in a 5- to 7-percent weight loss, of people at high risk for diabetes, can delay and possibly prevent type 2 diabetes. The participants walked for 30 minutes, 5 days a week.
(National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, 2002)
Q. Can regular physical activity positively influence your genetic make-up?
A: Your genes will affect you regardless of your lifestyle (diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis). However, exercise and healthy living will improve your quality of life and will influence the time of onset of these health conditions. Therefore, if you have a family history of a specific condition, you should definitely embark on a physical activity program.
Q. Is physical activity an effective way of losing weight?
A: Aerobic exercise uses fat as a fuel and when combined with diet modification, will enhance weight loss. The optimal amount of exercise is 30 to 40 minutes at a moderate intensity.
Q. Is staying active just as important as taking exercise classes?
A: If you walk everywhere you can, take the stairs instead of the elevator, participate in fun sporting activities with friends, take the dog out regularly, go out on the weekends jigging, trapping, or snowshoeing, you are contributing enormously to your well being.
Q. Physical activity is very expensive. How can I afford to stay active?
A: Although some clubs may cost a lot of money to join, there are always recreational and fun possibilities at local community centres, through the municipal parks and recreation department or with local sports associations that are offered free or at a reasonable cost. Remember that if you don’t stay active, it can cost you your life.
Q. Should someone who has diabetes, be physically active on a regular basis?
A: The best thing someone with diabetes can do for themself is to start a physical activity program. Regular exercise reduces the complications due to diabetes and often causes a reduction in the daily insulin dose.
