Exercise Staves Off Diabetes in Obese Men

High levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with a reduced risk for diabetes in men with obesity, according to a recent study.

Diabetes has become increasingly prevalent in the United States, with obesity and low CRF as potential central mechanisms.
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For their study, the researchers evaluated 4988 men without cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, or cancer who were participating in the Copenhagen Male Study from 1970 to 1971. All men included in the study were Caucasian, middle-aged, and employed. Follow-up lasted 44 years.

A sub-maximal bicycle ergometer test was used to assess levels of CRF, and body mass index (BMI) was determined by height and weight measurements. Multivariable Cox models were used to estimate the interaction of CRF and BMI, as well as the stratified associations with diabetes incidence, including conventional risk factors and social class. Data from a national register was used to determine diabetes incidence.

Results indicated that 518 (10.4%) incident cases of diabetes had occurred throughout follow-up. The multi-adjusted model indicated that men with obesity had a significantly higher risk for diabetes vs men with normal weight. CRF had been significantly inversely associated with diabetes.

Ultimately, the researchers observed a significant, multi-adjusted association between CRF, BMI, and diabetes. The stratified multi-adjusted analyses on BMI showed that the risk of diabetes had been significantly reduced per 10-unit increase in ml/kg/min¹ of CRF among men with obesity. However, this association was weaker in men with normal weight or overweight.

“High CRF has a stronger protective effect on diabetes among obese than among normal weight men, supporting the recommendation of fitness-enhancing physical activity for preventing diabetes among the obese,” the researchers concluded.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Holtermann A, Gyntelberg F, Bauman A, Jensen MT. Cardiorespiratory fitness, fatness, and incident diabetes [Published online October 6, 2017]. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2017.10.001.