HHS HealthBeat (July 10, 2012)

Heading Off Diabetes’ Disability

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A study indicates that overweight people with diabetes can improve their ability simply to get around if they can control their weight and be more physically active. Researcher Jack Rejeski of Wake Forest University in North Carolina saw that in data on more than 5,000 people over four years.  He compared people in an intensive weight loss and exercise program with people who did not take part.

 “If somebody can lose 7 percent of their body weight, they can experience substantial reductions in disability over a period of a year.’’  (7 seconds)

Rejeski says people can retain the benefits if they remain active and control their weight.

The study in the New England Journal of Medicine was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: July 10, 2012