Children who exercise below the age of 13 are more likely to evade the onset of Type 2 diabetes in the future as compared to those who exercise at a later age, reveals recent research.
According to a study published in Diabetologia, insulin resistance finds itself at the peak at age 13. However, physical activity at this age may lower the levels of insulin resistance by age 16 - the study read.
The body produces a certain amount of insulin. However, over time the body cells become insulin-resistant and are unable to use it as effectively, leading to high blood sugar. The levels of unused insulin increase as beta cells in the pancreas subsequently increase their production of insulin, leading to a high blood insulin level. This can contribute to the onset of Type 2 diabetes or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults.
Brad Metcalf, a senior lecturer in the University of Exeter in England and a part of the research team, said that although physical activity reduced early-teenage peak in insulin resistance, it was ineffective after the age of 16.
These findings could help design more effective measures to promote an active lifestyle among children in their early teens to reduce the risk of such diseases in the future.