A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals that moderate to vigorous leisure-time physical activity reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas occupational activity does not provide the same benefit.
The global incidence of type 2 diabetes has more than doubled in the past decade, posing a significant burden on healthcare systems. While the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights physical activity as a key preventive measure, current guidelines do not differentiate between occupational and leisure-time activity. This lack of distinction may lead to misconceptions about the protective effects of workplace activity. Researcher Anna Sage from the Centre for Clinical Research and Prevention states that
The study analyzed data from 5,866 adults aged 30-60 years in the Danish Inter99 cohort, tracking diabetes cases via the Danish Diabetes Registry from 1996 to 2020. Participants underwent medical assessments and completed surveys about their physical activity levels at work and during leisure time.
Key findings of the study include:
- Strenuous occupational activity may be linked to type 2 diabetes, but the association was not statistically significant.
- Leisure-time physical activity consistently reduced diabetes risk, regardless of work-related activity levels.
- A sedentary lifestyle outside of work, combined with physically demanding jobs, increased the likelihood of developing diabetes.
- Engaging in exercise during free time provided a protective effect, even among individuals with physically active jobs.
Sage underscores the importance of revising physical activity guidelines, stating that
These findings reinforce the need to prioritize structured leisure-time exercise for diabetes prevention. Additionally, they highlight the importance of updating public health recommendations to better reflect the role of different types of physical activity in reducing chronic disease risks.
