Exercising outdoors 'most effective way of reducing diabetes risk'
16/03/2010 Exercising outdoors and maintaining a healthy diet are the most effective ways of reducing the onset of type two diabetes, according to one expert.
Dr Victoria King, research manager at Diabetes UK, said that those who are exercising outdoors regularly are less likely to develop the disease. Symptoms of the condition include blindness, stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
She believes that these should be used first before patients are advised to take drugs.
However, Dr King said that further study needs to be done in the area to make the treatments more effective.
"The dramatic rise of people in the UK developing type 2 diabetes means there is a need for more research and support for exercise and dietary interventions," she explained.
According to Diabetes UK there are currently 2.6 million people in the UK have the disease and by 2025 this number is expected to increase to over four million.
In addition, it is thought that up to half a million people in the country have diabetes which has not yet been diagnosed.
Dr Victoria King, research manager at Diabetes UK, said that those who are exercising outdoors regularly are less likely to develop the disease. Symptoms of the condition include blindness, stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.
She believes that these should be used first before patients are advised to take drugs.
However, Dr King said that further study needs to be done in the area to make the treatments more effective.
"The dramatic rise of people in the UK developing type 2 diabetes means there is a need for more research and support for exercise and dietary interventions," she explained.
According to Diabetes UK there are currently 2.6 million people in the UK have the disease and by 2025 this number is expected to increase to over four million.
In addition, it is thought that up to half a million people in the country have diabetes which has not yet been diagnosed.
