Exercise every day to keep Type 2 diabetes at bay – AMA

National Diabetes Week, 12-18 July, raises awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and the growing number of Australians who suffer from the complex and serious condition.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas.

Regular physical activity is an important component in managing Type 2 diabetes.

AMA President, Professor Brian Owler, said today it is estimated that 280 people in Australia are diagnosed with diabetes every day, and that diabetes will become our number one burden of disease within the next five years.

Professor Owler said that around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes, with Type 2 diabetes accounting for 85 per cent of diabetes sufferers, and there could be up to 500,000 people with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

“Research shows that exercising and eating well can prevent up to 58 per cent of type 2 diabetes cases, and it doesn’t have to be extreme or exhausting exercise.”

Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines recommend people should be participating in at least 2.5 hours of moderate or 1.25 hours of vigorous physical activity every week.

Professor Owler said that, while everyone should try and by physically active on most days, the biggest gains are made by those people who transition from being sedentary (inactive) to undertaking the recommended amounts of physical activity.

“Initially this can be done in short bursts, and can be built up over time,” Professor Owler said.

“Activity can range from going to the gym, playing sport, jogging or power walking to more moderate activity like walking the dog or taking the stairs instead of elevators or escalators.

“You don’t have to be an athlete to exercise, but it is important for everyone to undertake some form of physical activity every day.

“If people stay active and prevent weight gain, they can prevent Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

Professor Owler said that GPs can help people determine the appropriate type of activity for their state of health, age, and current fitness levels.

“Family doctors can explain the potential health benefits of physical activity and help people choose the best activities for their individual health profile and conditions,” Professor Owler said.

Background:

According to Diabetes Australia:

• 280 Australians develop diabetes every day - that’s one person every five minutes;
• around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes. This includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (1.2 million known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (up to 500,000 estimated);
• more than 100,000 Australians have developed diabetes in the past year;
• for every person diagnosed with diabetes there is usually a family member or carer who also ‘lives with diabetes’ every day in a support role. This means that an estimated 2.4 million Australians are affected by diabetes every day;
• the total annual cost impact of diabetes in Australia is estimated at $14.6 billion;
• Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10 per cent of all diabetes, and is increasing;
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85 per cent of all diabetes, and is increasing; and
• gestational diabetes in pregnancy is increasing.

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system is activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. It is not known what causes this auto‑immune reaction, but it is not linked to modifiable lifestyle factors. [Source: Diabetes Australia]

12 July 2015

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