A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine (September 13, 2001) suggests that as much as 90% of type 2 diabetes in women is due to lifestyle or behavioral choices, and could be prevented by the adoption of a healthier lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes, is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. In fact, up to 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes die from heart or vascular problems. In recent years, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has been climbing, and many experts say that it is being seen in younger and younger patients every year.
In the recent NEJM study, investigators from Harvard report on a population of nearly 85,000 female nurses who were followed for 16 years, from 1980 to 1996. During this follow-up period, 3300 of these nurses developed type 2 diabetes. The investigators analyzed information about the lifestyle and diet of women who did and did not develop diabetes during the follow-up period. Several of these factors correlated with a high risk of developing diabetes.
- Obesity was the most important factor producing an increase in the risk of diabetes.
Other important risk factors included:
- Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)
- Poor diet (high fat and/or carbohydrate)
- Tobacco use
- No alcohol use
Overall, 91% of the cases of type 2 diabetes in this population of patients, the investigators felt, could be attributed to habits, lifestyle, and behavior. They concluded that most cases of type 2 diabetes is preventable by choosing a healthier lifestyle.
