More physical exercise helps kids with type 1 diabetes

By Katrina Stokes

CHILDREN who have type 1 diabetes can improve their cardiovascular health simply by taking an extra 1000 steps a day, new research reveals.

A breakthrough study by the University of Adelaide and Women’s and Children’s Hospital researchers has shown keeping count of daily steps and boosting physical activity can help children living with the disease.
It is the first time researchers have revealed the daily number of steps directly relates to early signs of cardiovascular risk in children with type 1 diabetes.
Researchers tracked the daily physical activity of 90 children with type 1 diabetes and found that those who undertook additional physical activity showed improvements in their blood vessel structure and it also lowered their risk of heart disease.
“Children with type 1 diabetes often report lower physical activity levels than recommended for children of the same age,” Dr Pena said.
“We also tend to see early signs of atherosclerosis — a build up of plaque in the arteries — and other adverse cardiovascular risks at an earlier age than usual for these children.”
The research team also found more than half of the children took fewer than 10,000 steps per day.
“There were clear correlations between artery thickness and the average number of steps per day. With an increase of 1000 steps each day, we saw a measurable decrease in this arterial thickness,” Dr Pena said.
“In the children who had extra physical activity, we also saw reductions in weight, blood pressure, and triglycerides, which indicates an overall reduction in risk of heart disease.”
Dr Pena said the findings emphasised the importance of physical activity for children and “the need for advice on the benefits of exercise for children with type 1 diabetes”.
“The more steps they do, the better,” she said.
The results, published online in the journal Diabetes Care, were supported by Diabetes Australia Research Trust, Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Care, and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/more-physical-exercise-helps-kids-with-type-1-diabetes-new-adelaide-study-reveals/news-story/1c99f6e2cb30bd1e9a4da4e76d31d3e8