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According to research studies by Maastrich University in Holland published in today’s Telegraph article : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/12135922/
“An-extra-hour-on-the-sofa-could-increase-diabetes-risk-by-a-fifth.html “new research links couch potato lifestyles with diabetes, suggesting every extra hour on the sofa could mean a 22 per cent increased risk of the condition.
Every extra hour a day spent sitting down could increase the risk of developing diabetes by a fifth, new research suggests.
The study found that people with type 2 diabetes spent more of their day sitting down than those without the disease.
Those with diabetes spent an average of 26 minutes longer each day in a sedentary position – such as sitting at a computer – than those with a normal glucose metabolism.
Overall, an extra hour of sedentary time was associated with an 22 per cent increased chance of type 2 diabetes.
However, the research did not prove that couch potato lifestyles caused the extra risk of the condition. It could be that those with diabetes tended to be less active.
More than 2,400 took took part in the Dutch study, which saw each of them wear an accelerometer – measuring their movement – 24 hours a day for eight days.
An extra hour on the sofa was associated with a 22 per cent increased risk of type 2 diabetes Photo: Alamy
Researchers measured the amount of time they spent sitting down, the number of sedentary breaks, the number of prolonged breaks – 30 minutes or more – and the average duration of those breaks.
Each participant also undertook an oral glucose test to determine their diabetic status.
“Sedentary behaviour may play a significant role in the development and prevention of type 2 diabetes, independent of high-intensity physical activity.
Julianne van der Berg, of Maastricht University”