39% Lower Diabetes Risk! Surprising Benefits of Speeding Up Your Walk
There are more than 540 million people worldwide with Diabetes which is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030 according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The alarming average estimated growth of 58% from 2021 to 2045 makes Diabetes highly concerning as a global health risk. Several researches have documented the potential of moderate-intensity activities like walking, and physical activity such as gardening as effective tools for reducing type 2 diabetes risk. These activities are common, accessible, and relatively safe, making them an attractive option for many adults. A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine shifts the focus to walking speed and its association with the risk of type 2 Diabetes. This article presents the key insights and explores the association between walking speed and Type 2 Diabetes.
Walking is the most underrated physical activity. Many researchers suggest that walking speed could be an indicator of our health. The positive impact of walking, its quick measurability and sensitivity to changes in health make it a potential functional vital sign, particularly useful for assessing health risks in older adults. While past researchers conclude that walking frequently has been associated with a lower risk of Type 2 Diabetes, recent research has focused on the association between walking speed and Type 2 diabetes.