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Work-time physical activity may reduce mortality in diabetics
 
 
  NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The amount of work-related physical activity among patients with type 2 diabetes is inversely related to the risk of total and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, new research indicates.
 
Previous reports have linked high levels of leisure-time physical activity with decreased total and CVD mortality in diabetics. However, the association with work-time physical activity was unclear.
 
To investigate, Dr. Gang Hu, from the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki, and colleagues assessed the outcomes of 3316 subjects with type 2 diabetes who were followed for a mean of 18.4 years.
 
During follow-up, 1410 subjects died, including 903 from CVD, the researchers note in the July 27th rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
 
Work-time physical activity appeared to have a beneficial effect on CVD. Compared with subjects who sat at a desk most of the day, subjects engaged in heavy manual labor were 40% less likely to die from any cause or from CVD in particular (p < 0.001 for both). Subjects with jobs involving walking and standing, but no heavy labor had mortality risks that fell between those of desk sitters and manual laborers.
 
In agreement with previous research, the risk of total and CVD mortality decreased as leisure-time physical activity increased (p < 0.005 for both).
 
"We have provided evidence that not only leisure time physical activity but also occupational activity and daily walking or cycling to and from work are important components of a healthy lifestyle among diabetic patients," the authors conclude.
 
Circulation 2004;110:000-000.
 

 

 
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