Press Release: Study Highlights Key Factors in Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Across Ethnic Groups
Recent research published in the European Journal of Nutrition emphasizes that while healthy lifestyle habits can mitigate the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), managing body weight is pivotal across various ethnic groups. The study, part of the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC), involved over 165,000 individuals aged 45-75 from diverse backgrounds—African American, Native Hawaiian, Latino, Japanese American, and European American.
Globally, 1 in 10 adults lives with diabetes, with projections estimating that by 2045, more than 780 million will be affected, primarily by T2DM. This form of diabetes is tied to significant health complications, including chronic kidney disease and increased mortality. The researchers aimed to understand how a composite Lifestyle Risk Factor Index (LSRI) could predict T2DM risk based on a range of modifiable behaviors.
The study collected data on demographics, physical activity, and dietary habits, revealing that a higher LSRI score, which included criteria such as non-smoking and regular exercise, correlated with a decline in T2DM incidence. Notably, participants with a score of four points had a 16% lower risk compared to those with lower scores. However, yields on dietary adherence were concerning, with only 22% of participants meeting dietary guidelines.
Significantly, the study found that body mass index (BMI) was a stronger predictor of T2DM risk than lifestyle factors, particularly among Japanese Americans and Native Hawaiians. These insights underline the necessity for culturally tailored public health initiatives that not only promote healthier lifestyles but also address obesity effectively to tackle rising diabetes rates across diverse populations.
The findings call for urgent strategies that target lifestyle behavior adoption while considering ethnic-specific physiological differences in T2DM development.
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