Active Lifestyle Reduces Risk of Diabetes In Older Adults, reveals study

Using data from India's first nationally representative longitudinal ageing survey (2017–18), the researchers conducted descriptive along with bivariate analysis to present the preliminary results. They also used propensity score matching (PSM) analysis to estimate treatment effects for cross-sectional/observational/non-experimental data.

Key findings of the study:

• Among 72,250 individuals, the researchers observed that 14% of older adults had diabetes, of which 18% of older adults did frequent physical activity.
• They noted that the estimated average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) values in treated and control groups were 0.123 and 0.147 suggesting that the prevalence of diabetes among older adults was reduced by 2.5% points because of frequent physical activity.
• The average treatment effect on the untreated (ATU) results indicates that among older adults who did not do frequent physical activity if they did the frequent physical activity, the prevalence of diabetes is likely to decrease by 2.2% points.

The authors concluded, " Our findings show that frequent physical activity is associated with a lower risk of diabetes in older adults. The results underscore the need to develop strategies of promoting an active lifestyle by maintaining physical activity to combat the diabetes epidemic in the older population."

For further information:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102353