Exercise with Type 2 Diabetes

What is it?

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. We do not know what causes type 2 diabetes. The condition has strong genetic and family-related risk factors and is also often associated with modifiable lifestyle risk factors.

When is it diagnosed?

Is diagnosed when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (reduced insulin production) and/or the insulin does not work effectively and/or the cells of the body do not respond to insulin effectively (known as insulin resistance)

Risk Factors?

People are at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes if they:

• have a family history of diabetes
• are older (over 55 years of age ) – the risk increases as we age
• are over 45 years of age and are overweight
• are over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
• are over 35 years of age and are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
• are over 35 years of age and are from Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background
• are a woman who has given birth to a child over 4.5 kgs (9 lbs), or had gestational diabetes when pregnant, or had a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

What can be done about it? 

There is no known cure for T2D though it can be controlled and managed. This can be done by healthy eating, regular exercise, weight loss and blood sugar monitoring. 

Benefits of Exercise for T2D?

For a person with diabetes exercise helps:

• Insulin to work better, which will improve your diabetes management
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Lower your blood pressure
• Reduce your risk of heart disease
• Reduce stress.

For good health, you should be doing about 30 minutes of exercise every day. If this is not possible, then this time can be divided into 3 x 10 minutes sessions. You can break up exercise throughout the day.

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