Can exercise and eating less help diabetics get healthier?
One-year caloric restriction and 12-week exercise training intervention in obese adults with type 2 diabetes: emphasis on metabolic control and resting metabolic rate
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Higher exercise energy expenditure correlated with better HbA1c — not just weight loss.
Most assume blood sugar improves because you lose weight — but this study shows it's directly tied to how much you move, independent of total calorie deficit.
Practical Takeaways
Aim to burn at least 200–300 extra calories per day through exercise — even if you're eating the same — to maximize blood sugar and fat loss.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Higher exercise energy expenditure correlated with better HbA1c — not just weight loss.
Most assume blood sugar improves because you lose weight — but this study shows it's directly tied to how much you move, independent of total calorie deficit.
Practical Takeaways
Aim to burn at least 200–300 extra calories per day through exercise — even if you're eating the same — to maximize blood sugar and fat loss.
Publication
Journal
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
Year
2019
Authors
F. Zurlo, Caterina Trevisan, Nicola Vitturi, E. Ravussin, C. Salvo, S. Carraro, M. Siffi, I. Iob, A. Saller, L. Previato, G. Sergi, S. D. Kreutzenberg, Alberto Maran, Angelo Avogaro
Related Content
Claims (6)
When two people consume the same net calorie deficit, their resting metabolic rates and hormone levels may differ depending on how much total energy they are expending through activity and metabolism.
In obese adults with type 2 diabetes, a year-long program that includes eating fewer calories and 12 weeks of supervised exercise is linked to measurable improvements in blood sugar control, body fat, aerobic fitness, and healthy cholesterol levels.
In obese adults with type 2 diabetes, changes in resting metabolic rate during weight loss are linked to changes in blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and aerobic fitness.
For obese adults with type 2 diabetes, whether they start supervised exercise early or late during a six-month program does not make a meaningful difference in their metabolic health outcomes.
In obese adults with type 2 diabetes, losing weight through diet and exercise improves blood sugar control, reduces body fat, and increases aerobic fitness, and these improvements continue for at least one year after the program ends.