Research
Mixed
Adherence to a combination of low-risk lifestyle factors (physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol, and adiposity) is associated with a markedly lower incidence of new-onset diabetes in older adults, with up to 90% of cases potentially attributable to nonadherence.
Focus on maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet rich in fiber and healthy fats, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, and drinking alcohol moderately. Doing these things together significantly lowers your risk of developing diabetes, even if you are older.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Overall, 9 of 10 new cases of diabetes appeared to be attributable to these 5 lifestyle factors.
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort study with long follow-up and robust adjustment for confounders.
Source
Lifestyle Risk Factors and New-Onset Diabetes Mellitus in Older Adults
Dariush Mozaffarian et al. · Archives of Internal Medicine · 2009
DOI 10.1001/archinternmed.2009.21
cohort · n=4883Cited 360×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
Related findings · Mixed
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