Physical Activity Earlier in Life Is Inversely Associated With Insulin Resistance Among Adults in Japan.

Hitomi Fujita,Shoko Tsujimura,Naoko Okamoto,Kyoko Oka,Fumi Kondo,Tamaki Yamada,Akihiro Hosono,Sadao Suzuki,Ryozo Wakabayashi,Kiyoshi Shibata,Mari Ichikawa,Mayumi Kamiya

doi:10.2188/jea.je20170180

Abstract

BackgroundIt is known that physical activity affects glucose metabolism. However, there have been no reports on the influence of physical activity earlier in life on subsequent glucose metabolism. Therefore, we analyzed the influence of physical activity in earlier decades of life on insulin resistance in middle aged and older residents in Japan.MethodsThe subjects were 6,883 residents of Okazaki City between the ages of 40 and 79 years who underwent physical examinations at the Okazaki City Medical Association Public Health Center from April 2007 through August 2011. They gave informed consent for participation in the study. Data on individual characteristics were collected via a questionnaire and from the health examination records. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels were used to calculate the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). HOMA-IR >1.6 was considered to indicate insulin resistance for the purpose of logistic regression models.ResultsThe study sample included 3,683 men and 3,200 women for whom complete information was available. For those who exercised regularly throughout their teens to their 30s–40s, the odds ratio for having insulin resistance was 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58–0.96) for men and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.58–0.99) for women after adjusting for other variables, including age, body mass index, and present physical activity. A linear trend was also observed in both men and women.ConclusionsSubjects who have exercised regularly in the early decades of life are less likely to have insulin resistance later in life.

Highlights

It is well-known that people who are physically active are at a lower risk of mortality and morbidity related to ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis.[1,2] Physical activity is beneficial to mental health and quality of life.[3]
We decided to investigate the association of physical activity in the early decades of life with insulin resistance among middle-aged and older individuals
Men and women responding with “some” exercise in the past composed the largest group and had the youngest average age. Those whose exercise was “consistent” through earlier decades had the highest percentage of individuals who maintained physical activity in the present, approximately 10% to 15% higher than “some” or “none” among both men and women

Summary

Introduction

It is well-known that people who are physically active are at a lower risk of mortality and morbidity related to ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis.[1,2] Physical activity is beneficial to mental health and quality of life.[3]. We decided to investigate the association of physical activity in the early decades of life with insulin resistance among middle-aged and older individuals. It is known that physical activity affects glucose metabolism. There have been no reports on the influence of physical activity earlier in life on subsequent glucose metabolism.

Methods

Results

Conclusion