The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5025.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - Board 3

Abstract #63921

Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and type 2 diabetes in women

Jason M. Wallace, MPH, Shannon J. FitzGerald, PhD, and Carolyn E. Barlow, MS. Center for Integrated Health Research, The Cooper Institute, 12330 Preston Road, Dallas, TX 75230, 972-341-3253, jwallace@cooperinst.org

Little is known about the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on the development of type 2 diabetes (DM) in healthy women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between CRF and the development of DM among 4984 women. Subjects completed one medical examination, which included a maximal treadmill test. At the time of the exam, the subjects were free of DM and had a fasting glucose of less than 126 mg/dL. DM was determined by self-report on a follow-up mail survey in either 1990, 1995, or 1999. CRF was based on the duration of a maximal treadmill test, with women in the bottom 20% classified as low fit (LF), the next 40% as moderately fit (MF), and the top 40% as high fit (HF). During the follow-up period, 82 women developed DM. Incidence of DM was 3.32% in the LF group, 2.58% in the MF group, and 0.81% in HF group. Using a multiple logistic regression model controlling for age, body mass index, and baseline fasting glucose, women in the LF group appeared to be at higher risk for developing DM relative to the HF group. Compared to the LF group, the odds of developing DM were 0.89 (95% CI 0.50-1.61) in the MF group and 0.30 (95% CI 0.15-0.59) in the HF group. For every additional minute on the treadmill, there was a 14% reduction in risk of developing DM. These results suggest that being physically fit may help prevent DM.

Supported by NIH grant AG06945.

Learning Objectives:

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Behavior, Lifestyle and Social Determinants of Health: Poster Session 1

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA