Take a Risk to Lower Your Risk

Type 2 Diabetes is also known as a “lifestyle disease.” This means it is associated with the lifestyle choices that we make. There are several factors that contribute to developing Type 2 Diabetes. Here are the four main contributing factors¹:

1. Blood Pressure– Having high blood pressure is a key contributor to Type 2, or Adult Onset, Diabetes.

2. Inactivity– Living a sedentary lifestyle contributes to being overweight or obese, putting you at a greater risk.

3. B.M.I.– An elevated Body Mass Index is a known risk factor.

4. Cholesterol– Having low HDL (the good cholesterol) and high triglycerides is associated with insulin resistance.

Why Walking Works

The American Diabetes Association suggests only 150 minutes of brisk walking weekly for at-risk, pre-diabetic, and diabetic individuals². If you aren’t conditioned for strenuous or high-impact exercise, walking is the perfect low-risk entry point to spark change:

Slow and Steady– High-intensity exercise like running may increase stress hormones, elevating blood sugar.
Muscle Matters– Muscles use up glucose for energy, improving blood glucose levels and increasing insulin sensitivity.
Fat Blaster– Walking diminishes visceral fat (the dangerous kind around your organs), which has been linked to insulin resistance.
Long-Lasting– The effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity last up to 48 hours.

Sources:

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/cholesterol-abnormalities–diabetes
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2018/04-jul-aug/making-most-walking-workout.html?loc=ymal
https://www.diabetes.org/fitness