Research

Energy balance

Regular physical activity significantly reduces the risk of developing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) in men, with higher energy expenditure correlating with lower incidence rates.

To lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, you need to move more. This study shows that men who burn more calories through daily activity and exercise have a much lower chance of developing the disease. You don't need to run marathons; simply increasing your overall energy expenditure through walking, sports, or daily chores can provide significant protection.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
The incidence of NIDDM was inversely related to the amount of energy expended in physical activity... The relative risk of NIDDM for men in the highest quintile of energy expenditure was 0.36, as compared with that for men in the lowest quintile.
Susan P. Helmrich et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 1991

Why this rating

Large prospective cohort study (Harvard Alumni Health Study) with long follow-up and adjustment for confounders, though observational.

Source

Physical Activity and Reduced Occurrence of Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Susan P. Helmrich et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 1991

DOI 10.1056/nejm199107183250302

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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