Exercise can't undo sitting all day

Reducing sitting by 90 minutes a day could be more helpful in reducing type 2 diabetes than exercising regularly, British researchers say. Joseph Henson and colleagues of the University of Leicester and colleagues analyzed patients from two studies: 153 from project Sedentary Time and Diabetes study, mean age 33 years, 29 percent men and the Walking Away from Diabetes study, mean age 64 years, 65 percent men. The research team examined the extent to which sedentary time, breaks in sedentary time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and total physical activity were independently associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in a population with known risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Accelerometers were used to assess sedentary time, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and total physical activity. Breaks in sedentary time were defined as a transition from a sedentary to an active state. The study, published in the journal Diabetologia, found patients with known risk factors for type 2 diabetes found sedentary time was detrimentally associated with elevated levels of glucose, triacylglycerol and high-density lipoprotein, the "good," cholesterol. These results remained significant after further adjustment for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and weight. "These studies provide preliminary evidence that sedentary behavior may be a more effective way to target the prevention of type 2 diabetes, rather than just solely focusing on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity," Henson said.