Diet and Exercise Lowers Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

People diagnosed with pre-diabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by losing just a small percentage of their total body weight and exercising regularly, according to "The Diabetes Prevention Program," (DPP) study of 2002.

• What is Pre-diabetes?
• What is Type 2 Diabetes?

The results of the DPP study showed that a 5- to 7-percent weight loss reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent. For example, a 200 pound woman would aim to lose 14 pounds for a final weight of 186 pounds. For many people, breaking down weight loss into smaller goals helps motivate them to stick to a lifestyle change.

According to Allen Spiegel, M.D., and director of the NIDDK, "Not only did changes in diet and physical activity prevent or delay the development of diabetes, they actually restored normal glucose levels in many people who had impaired glucose tolerance. These findings bring us closer to the goal of containing and ultimately reversing the epidemic of type 2 diabetes in this country."

• Read More About the DPP Study
• Why Exercise Helps People With Diabetes
• Quick Facts to Know About Eating and Diabetes

Of the over 21 million people in the U.S. who have diabetes, 95 percent have type 2. Obesity is one of the major risk factors for type 2. People who are obese have five times the risk of diabetes than those who are a normal weight. Other risk factors include a sedentary lifestyle, family history and ethnicity.

• Top Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
• Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

Photo by Tara Bartal