Childhood inactivity increases insulin and increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
In recent studies, light exercise has proven to be an effective way to reverse the harmful effects of childhood inactivity. Adobe Stock / AOP
– Why not get around it: our recent studies show that childhood immobility is a real scourge that stalks children and young people all over the world.
This is what the doctor, docent of clinical epidemiology and children’s health says Andrew Agbaje from the University of Eastern Finland. Awarded numerous recognition awards, Agbaje is, among other things, an expert in childhood obesity prevention at the World Health Organization WHO.
According to Agbaje, excessive screen time in children is part of the problem of childhood immobility.
Being sedentary from childhood is associated with a significantly increased insulin concentration in the blood, which in turn increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Research led by Agbaje shows that light exercise can reduce the risk of elevated insulin levels and insulin resistance. The University of Eastern Finland’s press release tells about the study.
Vicious circle
According to the release, researchers have noticed that youth obesity and worsening insulin resistance form a vicious circle that maintains each other.
The study followed 792 participants from the age of 11 to 24. At the beginning of the follow-up, the subjects accumulated about six hours a day of sitting. 13 years later, sitting still accumulated nine hours a day.
The increase in time spent in one’s place was connected to a continuous increase in fasting blood insulin concentration, especially in overweight or obese young people. Their risk of elevated insulin concentration increased by 20 percent.
On the other hand, an average of 3–4 hours of light exercise per day during the follow-up period reduced the risk of elevated insulin by 20 percent. A greater amount of light exercise was also associated with less insulin resistance.
Vigorous or strenuous exercise also seemed to lower insulin, but significantly less.
Encouragement is needed
– Lack of exercise is today’s central cause of elevated insulin, obesity, fat metabolism disorders, low-grade inflammation and hardening of the arteries, Agbaje summarizes in the press release.
– Three to four hours of light exercise a day is an effective way to reverse the harmful effects of childhood inactivity, and we should talk about this a lot more, Agbaje continues.
According to Agbaje, among others, public health experts, health policy makers, pediatricians and parents should encourage children to do light exercise every day.
The results of the study carried out by the universities of Eastern Finland, Bristol and Exeter were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
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