Scientists have called a healthy lifestyle a key factor in preventing diabetes

More than 55% of cases of type 2 diabetes could be prevented by following the rules of a healthy lifestyle (HLS). This is evidenced by the results of a study by an international group of scientists published in the journal Diabetes.

A research team led by Cassandra Spracklen from the University of North Carolina analyzed data from 332,251 people. The specialists monitored the participants for 13 years, 13,128 of whom developed diabetes during this period. The analysis showed that genetic predisposition and daily habits are associated with the occurrence of the disease independently of each other.

The researchers sorted the participants by levels of genetic risk and lifestyle categories. It turned out that unhealthy habits increase the likelihood of pathology in all groups, including those who do not have a hereditary predisposition. The researchers named body mass index as the most significant factor with the strongest association with the development of diabetes. Other important criteria include the level of physical activity, the quality of nutrition and smoking.

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The highest risk of the disease is recorded in people who combine a high genetic risk with an unhealthy lifestyle. In this category, the spread of the risk ratio reached 16.33. According to scientists, the results confirm the need for active prevention even in patients with poor heredity. Experts emphasize that doctors should inform at-risk groups about the benefits of changing habits, but public campaigns to promote healthy lifestyle are equally important.

At the same time, the authors noted that the likelihood of developing the disease may be influenced by specific factors not included in the main list. Modern science knows more than 1.2 thousand genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes, which explains up to 40% of the heritability of the disease. The rest of the risk is attributed to external factors and human behavior.

On May 18, Science Daily reported a 31% reduction in the risk of diabetes when following an updated Mediterranean diet. According to the publication, this effect is observed in combination with moderate physical activity and weight loss. The scientists emphasized that an intensive lifestyle proved to be much more effective for preventing the disease.