Although a healthy diet and moderate physical activity contribute to a healthy body, new research has shown they may also prevent or help manage type 2 diabetes, also known as adult onset diabetes.
Researchers at the University's Health System were awarded a $3.5 million grant March 10 from the National Institutes of Health in order to study diet and exercise among type 2 diabetics.
Jane Crowther, the "I Can" diabetes study project coordinator, said the study places participants on a one-year diet and physical exercise plan, which is followed by two and a half years of monitoring.
She said the goal of the study is "to help control blood sugar and also aid in modest weight loss."
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90 percent of all cases. Type 1, however, is most common among children, whose pancreases have trouble producing insulin from birth. In the United States, an estimated 18 million people have type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin in their body or their cells ignore the insulin.
Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use sugar, which is the basic fuel for the body's cells. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can result in two problems -- right away, cells may be starved for energy; or over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
However, research from the American Diabetes Association has shown that regular exercise and a healthy diet can prevent or help control type 2 diabetes.
Although the exact causes are uncertain, type 2 diabetes is most likely the result of obesity, environmental factors or genetics, according to Anne Wolf, the co-principal investigator and an instructor at the University's department of health evaluation sciences.
Wolf said she hopes the study will improve the quality of life for people with type 2 diabetes.
"We hope to determine whether long-term diet and physical activity will help manage type 2 diabetes," she said. "We also hope to find out how diet and exercise intervention impacts health care costs."
A preliminary study was conducted which only included diet intervention, yet it received positive results.
"Indications from the preliminary study show that this type of intervention will not increase health costs, contrary to what most healthcare providers believe," Wolf said.
This new study will assign a dietician and personal trainer to each participant in order to monitor their progress. Wolf said this will "provide accountability and an experienced health source" for the participants. The study is expected to begin in Charlottesville in several weeks.
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