Kim’s public health blog

In a study presented at the Annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, Roshney Jacob-Issac, M.D., of George Washington University Hospital, and colleagues, “used 2,690 male diabetic veterans in VA [Veterans Administration] hospitals, most of whom were overweight or obese based on their body mass index (BMI).” Participants “were categorized as having low, moderate, or high fitness level, depending on their performance on a standard treadmill exercise tolerance test.” The authors “found that the higher the man’s level of fitness, the lower his risk of dying during the study period.” Dr. Jacob-Issac concluded that people with diabetes “should improve their fitness level or exercise capacity to at least a moderate level, by being physically active.” Comment: I wonder how often we have to repeat research establishing the value of physical fitness in preventing disease and delaying development of disabily.