PHYSICALLY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE KEY TO CONTROLLING TYPE 2 DIABETES

Course overview

It is well established that those with type 2 diabetes who engage in a physically active lifestyle maintain better control over the disease and its complications. They also keep a more optimistic outlook for the future, making it easier to maintain control. Keeping an ideal body weight and an active lifestyle may even prevent type 2 diabetes. Despite this, about 60% of those with type 2 diabetes are either sedentary or fail to engage in enough physical activity to achieve diabetes-related benefits. In December 2010 the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Diabetes Association provided new guidelines on exercise for people with type 2 diabetes, presenting the latest evidence underscoring what we already know -- physical activity is a cornerstone in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and we need to motivate people to become more physically active.