High levels of insulin indicate that a person is at greater risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Being overweight or obese increases the risk for having type 2 diabetes. With the number of overweight and obese youngsters having or being predisposed to type 2 diabetes now at an all-time high, we need to devise effective ways to reduce body fat and so reduce the disease risk.
Thankfully, exercise and weight loss offer an answer. Researchers have found that decreasing body fat and increasing cardiovascular fitness play a major role in reducing diabetes risk in children.
Scientists have reported that youths who are fit and lean have lower fasting insulin levels than youths with high body fat and low cardiovascular fitness levels.
High risk
This follows a study of body fat percentages and fitness levels of nearly 280 14- to 18-year-olds. The researchers found that the young participants with the highest insulin levels had the highest percentages of body fat and the lowest levels of cardiovascular fitness, meaning that they were at increased risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The study also showed that the harmful effects of low cardiovascular fitness and high blood pressure were greater in boys than girls.
"We've known for some time that obese kids have higher insulin levels, what hasn't been known is the relationship to cardiovascular fitness," the lead researcher said.
"When we study obese kids or adults, we say the high insulin might be due to obesity, but it might also be due to the lack of fitness that goes with the obesity. With this study, we've shown that poor fitness and high fat are related to high insulin levels.
"The bottom line is both a reduction in fat and an improvement in fitness are important for reducing risk… The earlier you intervene and keep the disease process from progressing, the better."
Parents also need to set an example for their children. By adopting healthy eating and exercise habits, your children will get the message. Encouraging them to spend at least an hour a day in physical activity and to eat two serves of fruit and five of vegetables daily will help protect their health now and later in life.
Reference:
Gutin B, Yin Z, Humphries MC, Hoffman WH, Gower B, Barbeau P (2005) Relations of fatness and fitness to fasting insulin in black and white adolescents. Journal of Pediatrics 145: 737-743.
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Exercise Assists Diabetes Management
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Prevent Diabetes
Obesity Weighs Heavily on Young Minds
