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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
This ‘weekend warrior' workout can lower early death risk by 21% in people with diabetes, says Harvard-led study
Staying physically active is crucial for people with diabetes to manage their condition and boost overall health. While daily workouts are often seen as the gold standard, a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reveals that even a "weekend warrior" routine, where all weekly exercise is done in just one or two sessions, can significantly lower the risk of early death in individuals with diabetes. (Also read: AIIMS gastroenterologist shares what to eat for high BP, diabetes, back pain, anxiety and other common health issues ) One or two weekly workouts linked to lower death risk for diabetics.(Unsplash) Can weekend workouts really lower the risk of early death According to researchers, diabetics who complete their weekly recommended physical activity in just one or two sessions were 21 percent less likely to die prematurely from any cause compared to those who don't exercise at all. The findings also reveal a 33 percent lower risk of death from heart disease among those who followed this exercise pattern. Study suggests that diabetics can benefit from 'weekend warrior' workouts.(Pexels) "These results highlight the value of adaptable exercise routines for individuals with diabetes, as they can help enhance insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control," said lead author Zhiyuan Wu, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. He added that this is especially beneficial for those who find it challenging to stick to a consistent workout schedule. According to the researchers, current exercise recommendations suggest that adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week to support overall health. Examples of such activities include brisk walking, leisurely cycling, gentle yoga, ballroom dancing, and basic yard work. How much exercise is enough Researchers noted that finding time to exercise regularly can be tough. "Many people face time constraints, so they often squeeze all their weekly physical activity into one or two sessions, a pattern known as the 'weekend warrior' approach," they explained. To explore this, the team analysed data from nearly 52,000 people with diabetes collected between 1997 and 2018 through the CDC's National Health Interview Survey. They compared participants' exercise habits with death records from 2019. Researchers emphasise the importance of adaptable exercise routines for better health management.(Shutterstock) The study found that "weekend warrior" workouts not only lowered the risk of early death but were slightly more effective than spreading workouts across the week. Those who exercised one or two times a week had a 21 percent lower risk of death from any cause and 33 percent lower risk from heart disease. In comparison, people who exercised more frequently had a 17 percent and 19 percent reduced risk, respectively. However, since this was an observational study, it couldn't prove a direct cause-and-effect link. The researchers recommend that future studies track daily physical activity more closely, including movement during work or commuting. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Weekend warrior' workouts may reduce risk of death in diabetics
A "weekend warrior" exercise schedule can lower diabetics' risk of early death, a new study says. People with diabetes who get all their recommended weekly exercise in one or two sessions -- the "weekend warrior" approach -- were 21% less likely to die early from any cause than their counterparts who don't work out, researchers reported Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. They also were 33% less likely to die from heart disease, results show. "These findings reinforce the importance of flexible physical activity patterns for people with diabetes as they can improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control -- especially for those who face barriers to maintaining regularly routine exercise," concluded the research team led by Zhiyuan Wu, a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. Exercise guidelines recommend that people get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week to maintain their health, researchers said in background notes. Moderate activity can include brisk walking, slow bicycling, active yoga, ballroom dancing and general yard work. However, it's not always easy to find time to work out, researchers said. "Many people struggle to engage in regular physical activity throughout the week due to time constraints," researchers said. "To overcome this, some condense their recommended (physical activity) into one or two weekly sessions -- a pattern known as the 'weekend warrior' approach." For this study, researchers analyzed data gathered from nearly 52,000 people with diabetes between 1997 and 2018 as part of the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey included questions on people's exercise patterns. Researchers compared that to 2019 death certificate data, to see whether physical activity made a difference. Not only did "weekend warrior" workouts reduce risk of premature death, they actually appeared to be more effective than regular exercise spaced out three or more times across a week, the team found. Folks with diabetes who met exercise guidelines with three or more shorter workouts weekly had a 17% lower risk of death from any cause and 19% lower risk of heart-related death, compared with those who don't work out, results show. However, researchers noted that the observational study couldn't draw a direct cause-and-effect link between exercise and lower risk of death. Future studies should more comprehensively track people's daily physical activity, including the exercise they might get as a part of their work or commute, researchers said. More information Harvard Medical School has more on the importance of exercise for diabetics. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
UPI
6 days ago
- Health
- UPI
'Weekend warrior' workouts may reduce risk of death in diabetics
A "weekend warrior" exercise schedule can lower diabetics' risk of early death, a new study says. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News A "weekend warrior" exercise schedule can lower diabetics' risk of early death, a new study says. People with diabetes who get all their recommended weekly exercise in one or two sessions -- the "weekend warrior" approach -- were 21% less likely to die early from any cause than their counterparts who don't work out, researchers reported Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. They also were 33% less likely to die from heart disease, results show. "These findings reinforce the importance of flexible physical activity patterns for people with diabetes as they can improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control -- especially for those who face barriers to maintaining regularly routine exercise," concluded the research team led by Zhiyuan Wu, a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. Exercise guidelines recommend that people get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity every week to maintain their health, researchers said in background notes. Moderate activity can include brisk walking, slow bicycling, active yoga, ballroom dancing and general yard work. However, it's not always easy to find time to work out, researchers said. "Many people struggle to engage in regular physical activity throughout the week due to time constraints," researchers said. "To overcome this, some condense their recommended (physical activity) into one or two weekly sessions -- a pattern known as the 'weekend warrior' approach." For this study, researchers analyzed data gathered from nearly 52,000 people with diabetes between 1997 and 2018 as part of the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey included questions on people's exercise patterns. Researchers compared that to 2019 death certificate data, to see whether physical activity made a difference. Not only did "weekend warrior" workouts reduce risk of premature death, they actually appeared to be more effective than regular exercise spaced out three or more times across a week, the team found. Folks with diabetes who met exercise guidelines with three or more shorter workouts weekly had a 17% lower risk of death from any cause and 19% lower risk of heart-related death, compared with those who don't work out, results show. However, researchers noted that the observational study couldn't draw a direct cause-and-effect link between exercise and lower risk of death. Future studies should more comprehensively track people's daily physical activity, including the exercise they might get as a part of their work or commute, researchers said. More information Harvard Medical School has more on the importance of exercise for diabetics. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Experts reveal that THIS diet can reduce heart disease risk
A recent Harvard study, presented at NUTRITION 2025, reveals that food quality is paramount for heart health, surpassing the focus on simply cutting carbs or fats. The decades-long research, involving nearly 200,000 participants, demonstrates that diets rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables significantly lower coronary heart disease risk by approximately 15%, regardless of whether they are low-carb or low-fat. Heart diseases are on the rise, with it still being one of the leading causes of death globally. Cardiovascular diseases account for 17.9 million deaths worldwide in 2023. Diet plays a crucial role in heart health and in reducing the risk of heart disease. A recent study examined the relationship between heart disease and diet and has identified one that benefits the heart. A large study by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that the quality of the food matters more than cutting carbs or fat. The findings will be presented at NUTRITION 2025 , the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, which will be held in Orlando this week. Quality over quantity The new study found that when it comes to protecting the heart , the types of foods one eats may be more important than whether they follow a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet. To understand what works in favour of the heart, the researchers followed almost 200,000 people for several decades, and observed that the quality of food consumed matters as much as following a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet. The findings suggested that choosing healthy, high-quality foods is key to protecting the heart. Previously, low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets have been endorsed by health experts for their potential health benefits, such as weight management and improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels. However, the impact of these diets on reducing heart disease risk has remained an ongoing debate. 'We found that what you eat on low-carb or low-fat diets matters just as much as the diet itself. Healthy versions of these diets—those rich in plant-based foods and whole grains—were linked to better heart health outcomes and improved metabolic function. In contrast, low-carb and low-fat diets emphasizing unhealthy foods were associated with a higher risk of heart disease,' said Zhiyuan Wu, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Qi Sun, MD, ScD, at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said in a release. The study To understand the link, the researchers analyzed data from three large cohorts: 43,430 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (1986–2016), 64,164 women in the Nurses' Health Study (1986–2018), and 92,189 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (1991–2019). The scientists followed these nearly 200,000 participants for several decades, tracking their dietary habits and whether they developed heart disease. Participants completed detailed food frequency questionnaires over time, allowing researchers to score their diets based on the quality of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins consumed. The researchers classified carbohydrates, fat,s and proteins from foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nut,s and legumes as high-quality nutrients, or healthy, while carbohydrates from potatoes and refined grains, as well as saturated fats and proteins from animal-based foods, were categorized as low-quality, or unhealthy. For more than 10,000 participants, the team also examined blood metabolites to understand how diet quality influenced metabolic health. 'This approach allowed us to better understand the biological effects of these diets and strengthened our findings,' Wu said. Take away The researchers found that the participants who followed a healthy low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet had a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease, while those on unhealthy versions saw an increased risk. These healthy diet patterns, whether a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet, lowered the risk of developing heart disease by about 15%. You Clean Your Diet, But What About Your Company? Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati's Powerful Truth 'Our findings suggest that improving food quality is crucial for improving heart health. Regardless of whether someone follows a low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet, emphasizing whole, minimally processed and plant-based foods and limiting refined grain, sugar, and animal foods, can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease,' Wu added. What to do To keep heart diseases at bay, the researchers suggest incorporating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes while cutting back on processed meats, refined carbs and sugary foods. Pro tip? Check food labels and be mindful of added low-quality ingredients, such as added sugars in juices and processed snacks. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
