Interrupting Sitting Lowers Glucose, Insulin Levels in Obese

Short bouts of light- or moderate-intensity walking tied to lower postprandial glucose, insulin

WEDNESDAY, March 7 (HealthDay News) -- Interrupting long periods of sitting with light- or moderate-intensity activity is associated with significant reductions in postprandial glucose and insulin levels among overweight and obese individuals, according to a study published online Feb. 28 in Diabetes Care.

David W. Dunstan, Ph.D., from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and associates conducted a randomized trial to assess the postprandial glucose and insulin levels of overweight/obese adults in three groups: uninterrupted sitting; seated with two-minute bouts of light-intensity walking every 20 minutes; and seated with two-minute bouts of moderate-intensity walking every 20 minutes.

The researchers found that, compared with uninterrupted sitting, the positive incremental area under curves (iAUCs) for glucose were significantly reduced in both the light- and moderate-intensity groups. The iAUCs for insulin were also significantly reduced for both activity conditions, compared with uninterrupted sitting.

"Interrupting sitting time with short bouts of light- or moderate-intensity walking lowers postprandial glucose and insulin levels in overweight/obese adults," the authors write. "This may improve glucose metabolism and potentially be an important public health and clinical intervention strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk."

One of the authors received a grant from Coca-Cola.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
www.healthday.com