Genetic Makeup and Type 2 Diabetes: How Much Will Exercise Really Help?

Much of our genetic makeup will ultimately determine our risk for certain health issues, according to recent findings published in the journal Diabetologia. This is particularly true for type 2 diabetes.

Researchers found that while exercise and a healthy diet can help to lower the likelihood of developing this potentially crippling health problem, our genes will also influence the outcome, as well.

"While physical activity generally promotes good health, it may not be as effective for everyone when it comes to preventing or treating type 2 diabetes," said one expert, Dr. Ruth Loos, director of the Genetics of Obesity and Related Metabolic Traits Program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, via Health Day.

For the study, researchers examined interactions between physical activity, genetics and diabetes risk in more than 8,100 white Americans, including 821 with type 2 diabetes.

Findings revealed that exercise, overall, provided less protection against this health issue if they had a high genetic risk for diabetic resistance.

For those with insulin resistance-a precursor to full-blown diabetes-this was particularly true.

However, researchers noted that the sample variation may have underscored the full capacity to grasp the understanding of just how certain outside factors, such as diet and exercise, could also positively influence this issue. 

"The scientists only studied sports participation, which is only a small component of people's overall daily physical activity," Loos added. "Furthermore, the role of a healthy diet, another important component in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, was not examined, either."

"Genetic predisposition to insulin resistance or not, physical activity has a multitude of health benefits --including perhaps delaying or mitigating insulin resistance," he concluded. "Being 'hardwired' for insulin resistance should not serve as a reason to give physical fitness and [maintaining a healthy weight] a low priority."