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Sitting for long stretches might boost your risk for type 2 diabetes, even if you exercise, researchers report. An extra 40 minutes of couch potato behaviour was found to dramatically increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a new study published online in Diabetologia. HealthDay reports that “each extra hour in a sedentary position – whether working on the computer or lounging in the recliner – seems to increase” the “odds of type 2 diabetes by 22 percent, the study authors”. That risk remained even if people undertook high intensity exercise such as running or swimming, researchers found after collecting “data on nearly 2,500 adults, average age 60.”
It should be noted however, that the link between sitting and diabetes is only an association based on cross-sectional data, and doesn’t prove that sitting causes type 2 diabetes. Why sedentary behavior may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes is not clear from the study.
Overall, sitting for long periods is not a good thing!
Greater consumption of potatoes, especially french fries, was shown in a new study published online in Diabetes Care December 17th, to be associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, independent of body mass index and other risk factors. Replacement of potatoes with whole grains was associated with a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes. This study analysed data in three large cohorts of US health professionals involving nearly 200,000 individuals. Potato consumption was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaires. Higher consumption of total potatoes (including baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes and french fries) was significantly associated with an elevated risk for type 2 diabetes (up to 33% if ≥7 servings/week after adjustment for demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors) and was highest for french fries. Replacing 3 servings/week of total potatoes with the same amount of whole grains was estimated to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.