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Diabetes
Diabetes is fast becoming the major chronic disease of this century. Adult onset, or type II diabetes, is largely lifestyle induced. Long standing patterns of over nutrition and under activity have contributed to the dramatically rising rates of type II diabetes in the population.
Treatment of the disease, much like its cause, can be lifestyle related. Research recently released from the Center for Disease Control in the US has shown that individuals who suffer with adult onset diabetes can significantly lower their risk of premature death by walking as little as two hours a week.
Researchers at the Center said they researched the conclusion after looking at nearly 3,000 adults with an average age of 58 years who had been diagnosed with diabetes for over a decade.
Diabetics who walked at least two hours per week had a 39 percent lower death rate from all causes and a 34 percent lower chance of death from heart disease when compared to inactive adults in the study.
Walking is a valuable activity in terms of prevention, and cure, for diabetes and more is certainly better than less. The research showed that the lowest death rate was for people who walked three to four hours a week and for those whose walking was at an intensity which led to a moderate increase in heart rate and breathing rate.
The benefits of walking in terms of prevention or cure are not the only reason to make walking a part of your normal routine. Much can be gained simply by enjoying some time outdoors in a pleasant environment. Don't let inactivity predispose you to a state of unhealth. Take a walk today!
Article by Professor Kerry Mummery
Central Queensland University
