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Time spent seated may be important diabetes risk factor in women

Category: Diabetes

Women who spend extended amounts of time seated are more likely to receive lab test results indicating they have risk factors for diabetes, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Furthermore, the results showed that women who exercise on a regular basis are no less likely to be affected by the risk associated with prolonged periods of sitting. The only way to reduce the risk is to spend less time in a sedentary position.

For the study, researchers from the University of Leicester collected information from more than 500 men and women about their lifestyles habits. The team also took blood samples, which they analyzed for markers of inflammation and insulin resistance. The results showed that female participants who spent longer hours seated each day had a much higher diabetes risk. However, no such association was noted in male participants. 

"If these results are replicated, they have implications for lifestyle recommendations, public health policy, and health behavior change interventions, as they suggest that enabling women to spend less time sitting is an important factor in preventing chronic disease," said lead researcher Thomas Yates.