Managing your body weight and BMI could be the key to keeping your type two diabetes risk down, according to a new study
Type two diabetes is increasingly prevalent worldwide, with insulin resistance often linked to lifestyle factors. However, new research indicates that BMI and weight might have a stronger connection to the disease than individual lifestyle choices. The researchers noted that BMI “plays a critical role in influencing the relation between lifestyle behaviours and type two diabetes”.
Experts at News Medical explained: “Not all lifestyle factors had equal influence, and BMI played a stronger role in predicting diabetes risk. These findings suggest the need for culturally tailored public health strategies that promote sustainable lifestyle improvements while also addressing obesity to effectively reduce type two diabetes across diverse populations.”
Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, the study tracked 165,383 adults aged 45-75 years from five ethnic backgrounds. Monitoring variables such as smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, diet, and body mass index (BMI).
Over a follow-up period exceeding 17 years, scientists observed the impact of these lifestyle elements. They discovered that 44,518 participants, or 27%, had developed type two diabetes.
The researchers said: “Before BMI adjustment, adherence to a healthy diet, physical activity, and no current smoking were inversely associated with type two diabetes risk but adding BMI as covariate eliminated the association for diet.”
The NHS outlines that a healthy BMI should fall between 18.5 and 24.9, with figures below this range indicating underweight status. A BMI going up to 29.9 is classed as overweight, and any figure above 30 is categorised as obese, reaching severely obese at 40. For those looking to check their BMI, the NHS provides a handy free online calculator.
During the study period, participants were advised to maintain a diet that included three daily servings of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. The dietary recommendations also included consuming fish twice a week and limiting processed meat to less than one serving per week.
Despite the guidance, only 22% of the study group managed to stick to these dietary standards. However, among those who did, there was a common trend of moderate alcohol consumption as well.
These findings suggest that while other aspects of lifestyle are important, they shouldn’t be the sole focus for individuals aiming to prevent type two diabetes. In fact, the research also identified a “strong” association between abstaining from smoking and engaging in adequate physical exercise and the reduced risk of developing type two diabetes.
In the study, participants’ lifestyles were scored on one point for each of the following behaviours:
- Not currently smoking
- Getting more than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week
- Consuming less than two alcoholic drinks per day for men and less than one per day for women
- Adhering to at least three of the seven dietary recommendations
Most people only achieved two or three points, but those who scored a full four had a 16% lower risk of type two diabetes compared to those who scored zero or one. For those starting at zero, every point increase was associated with a 6% decrease in type two diabetes risk.
