HONG KONG (Kashmir English): Regular physical activity and reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods may significantly lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even among people with a high genetic predisposition to the disease, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong analyzed health and lifestyle data from more than 56,000 participants in the UK Biobank. Information about their food consumption and physical activity was collected through questionnaires, while their health was monitored for an average of eight years.
During the study period, 926 participants were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Ultra-processed foods linked to higher diabetes risk
The researchers found that greater consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Weight gain linked to these foods was estimated to increase the risk by around 7 to 10 percent.
The study also found that regular physical activity had a protective effect. Participants who engaged in around 150 minutes of exercise each week had a 39 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The activities included walking, cycling, hiking, brisk walking, sports, household chores and gardening.
Further analysis showed that reducing ultra-processed food consumption while maintaining regular physical activity could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes by 33 to 35 percent among people with a high genetic risk.
Researchers also found that physical activity may help reduce some of the negative effects associated with a diet high in ultra-processed foods.
The researchers said the findings demonstrate the potential role of lifestyle changes in preventing type 2 diabetes and suggest that genetic risk does not necessarily determine an individual’s health outcome.
However, they acknowledged that the study could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
The findings were presented at the annual conference of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
