Exercise for Diabetes Risk: Age Isn't Everything

A 2026 study involving nearly 88,000 adults revealed that while increased exercise is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, the age group with the most potential gain may not be the youngest. For adults younger than 63, lower levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were associated with more than twice the relative risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to more active peers.

However, among adults aged 63 and older, lower activity was linked to a 65% higher relative risk. Researchers emphasize that despite a weakened association in older individuals, the potential absolute benefit of physical activity actually increased due to their greater underlying risk. The study, which tracked participants for a median of 7.7 years, found that those with lower activity levels engaged in approximately 121 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity weekly, significantly below the recommended 150 minutes.

Timing of exercise showed a minor association, with later-day activity linked to a slightly lower relative risk, but the total amount of movement was deemed more crucial. The findings highlight the importance of considering both relative and absolute risk when assessing the public health impact of physical activity, suggesting that a substantial number of diabetes cases could be reduced across different age demographics through increased exercise.