Sitting less and moving more could reduce risk of type 2 diabetes
New research, led by the University of Leicester, reveals that individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes would benefit from being told to sit less and move around more often- rather than simply exercising regularly.
The experts, including Joseph Henson and colleagues from the Diabetes Research Unit and our Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, suggest that reducing sitting time by 90 minutes in total per day could lead to important health benefits.
Currently, at risk patients are advised to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for at least 150 mins per week. But this new study suggests that patents should instead be advised to reduce their sedentary time - e.g. sitting or lying down.
The team states that this approach will require a paradigm shift, so that individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes think about the balance of sedentary behaviour and physical activity throughout the day.
