Exercise as it relates to Disease/Excessive sitting inhibits Insulin function in Type 2 Diabetes

Prevalence
It is not uncommon for people to spend one-half of their waking day sitting. Changes in the modern society are giving people the opportunity for a more sedentary lifestyle such as watching TV, sitting in a car or using the computer. This estimates that nearly 70% of Australian adults, almost 12 million people, conduct in sedentary behaviours daily.

Sedentary Behaviours and Insulin resistance
Evidence suggests that every two hours you spend sitting in front of the TV increases your risk for Type 2 diabetes (T2d) and other chronic diseases by 14 percent. This excessive sitting has an immediate effect on how our bodies are able to metabolize glucose increasing the risk factors for T2d.

When we are sedentary our muscles are not used, our body needs to work harder to assist with metabolizing foods (mostly carbohydrates) and storing the glucose for energy. This can put large amount of stress on the insulin producing Beta cells and we quickly become more insulin resistant (IR).

Type 2 Diabetes
T2d can be defined as insufficient levels of insulin or the body not being able to use insulin effectively (Insulin resistance).

T2d characteristics include
-Inability to control metabolic pathways and blood glucose levels

- Insulin resistance and insulin deficient

-Obesity and being physical inactive

-High levels of sedentary behaviours are associated with increased risk of having t2d

All this increased sitting and decreased Physical activity has a profound negative effect on almost every aspect of our health. In particular type 2 diabetes. T2d results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The risk has a strong association with lifestyle factors such as type of occupation, socioeconomic status, overweight and obese individuals, dietary factors and the amount of daily movement one engages in. It is estimated that up to 60% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. People at risk of t2d can delay and even prevent this disease by engaging in a healthy lifestyle.

The less active you are, our metabolic function decreases the activity of an enzyme called lipoprotein lipase (LDL) which is associated with higher triglyceride levels and lower HDL levels (the ‘good’ cholesterol).

Also fuel mobilization is controlled during exercise. If exercise is sustained, a decrease in insulin secretion and increases in blood sugar levels (glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol secretion), which aids in the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Physical activity and Sedentary behaviour guidelines
- Follow Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Youth and Children

- Australia's Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines and American Diabetes Association recommends engaging in some form of general moderate exercise (walking, jogging, gardening) for most of and preferably all day. The guidelines also recommend some resistance training at least 2 days per week to reduce the time spent being sedentary.