Practice Consideration
Physical Activity and Diabetes
The weekly exercise commonly recommended for adults is at least 150 minutes of “moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity”. Some guidelines stipulate that the exercise be done on a daily basis; others state that it be done at least three days a week, with no more than two days of no exercise.(1-5) It is acceptable for exercise to be accumulated in 10-minute increments. According to the WHO, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be reduced by 60 minutes of cumulative physical activity—at no less than a “moderate” level on most days of the week.(3)
References
1. American Diabetes Association. Standard Of Medical Care In Diabetes–2015: 4 Foundations of Care: Education, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Smoking Cessation, Psychosocial Care, and Immunization. Diabetes Care. 2015; 38: S20-S30.
2. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Diabetes and Physical Activity: Your Exercise Prescription. 2014; Accessed 22 November 2015. Available from: http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/CDACPG/media/documents/patient-resources/diabetes-and-physical-activity- your-exercise-prescription-feb2014_1.pdf
3. World Health Organisation and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2002 WHO/FAO Expert Consultation on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. 2003; Accessed 11 December 2015. Available from: www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC911E/ac911e00.htm
4. Otten JJ, Hellwig JP, Meyers LD, eds. Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences Press; 2006.
5. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, Adolescents and Children in Australia. 2013; Accessed 11 December 2015. Available from: www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/n57
References
1. American Diabetes Association. Standard Of Medical Care In Diabetes–2015: 4 Foundations of Care: Education, Nutrition, Physical Activity, Smoking Cessation, Psychosocial Care, and Immunization. Diabetes Care. 2015; 38: S20-S30.
2. Canadian Diabetes Association Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee. Diabetes and Physical Activity: Your Exercise Prescription. 2014; Accessed 22 November 2015. Available from: http://guidelines.diabetes.ca/CDACPG/media/documents/patient-resources/diabetes-and-physical-activity- your-exercise-prescription-feb2014_1.pdf
3. World Health Organisation and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2002 WHO/FAO Expert Consultation on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases. 2003; Accessed 11 December 2015. Available from: www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC911E/ac911e00.htm
4. Otten JJ, Hellwig JP, Meyers LD, eds. Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences Press; 2006.
5. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults, Adolescents and Children in Australia. 2013; Accessed 11 December 2015. Available from: www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/n57
Updated March 28, 2017