High body fat level may hinder exercise capacity in diabetes patients: Study
Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) related morbidity, mortality and death. Exercise capacity in persons with type 2 diabetes has been shown to be predictive of cardiovascular events. In
Researchers have found in a new study that People with Type 2 diabetes and higher levels of body fat may have reduced exercise capacity. The research has been published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Percentage of body fat was a significantly more important predictor of exercise capacity -- heart and lung endurance and overall physical fitness -- than other measurements, the data showed.
Therefore recognition of body fat percentage as an important marker in determining CVD risk has prognostic implications with respect to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
The condition also had more of an impact on exercise capacity than more traditional barometers, including blood pressure, weight, cholesterol levels and HbA1C, or blood sugar, the researchers said.
Average blood pressure readings for the participants were slightly elevated, as were total cholesterol levels.
Men with Type 2 diabetes in the study had an average body fat percentage of about 35%, while women had average of 45%.
Body fat percentages in the range of 18% to 25% for men and 25% to 31% for women are considered acceptable, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Those with higher levels of body fat were found to have reduced exercise capacity, the researchers said.
"I would urge people [with Type 2 diabetes] to exercise regularly to improve their overall cardiac health," Santhanam said.
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