Lifestyle: physical activity and training as prevention and therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (Update 2023)

Abstract

Lifestyle, in general and particularly regular physical activity, is known to be an important component in the prevention and therapy of type 2 diabetes. To gain substantial health benefits, a minimum of 150 min of moderate or vigorous intense aerobic physical activity and muscle strengthening activities per week should be performed. Additionally, inactivity should be recognized as health hazard and prolonged episodes of sitting should be avoided. Especially exercise is not only efficient in improving glycaemia by lowering insulin resistance and enhance insulin secretion, but to reduce cardiovascular risk. The positive effect of training correlates directly with the amount of fitness gained and lasts only as long as the fitness level is sustained. Exercise training is effective in all age groups and for all genders. It is reversible and reproducible. Standardized, regional and supervised exercise classes are well known to be attractive for adults to reach a sufficient level of health enhancing physical activity. Additionally, based on the large evidence of exercise referral and prescription, the Austrian Diabetes Associations aims to implement the position of a “physical activity adviser” in multi-professional diabetes care. Unfortunately, the implementation of booth—local exercise classes and advisers is missing so far