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Middle-aged women decreased risk for CVD, diabetes by walking daily
Researchers in Brazil have suggested that walking 6,000 or more steps each day can decrease a middle-aged woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of physical activity, but the efficacy of particular types of physical activity for reducing such risks has not been entirely clear.
“Our findings show that walking 6,000 or more steps per day brings significant health benefits for women aged between 40 and 70 years, including lower BMI, less central adiposity, and lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome,” the researchers wrote.
The cross-sectional study out of Passo Fundo, Brazil, included 292 women with a mean age of 57.1 years (83.9% white). Number of steps per day was 3,472.43 for the inactive group (61.8%) and 9,055.90 (31.9%) for the active group. Women took more steps on weekdays compared with weekends (P<.001) and more frequently in the summer months compared with other seasons (P=.004), researchers wrote.
According to data, overweight/obesity (OR=2.113; 95% CI, 1.23-3.62; P=.006); waist circumference (OR=1.76; 95% CI, 1.05-2.94); P=.013); diabetes (OR=2.786; 95% CI, 1.23-6.29; P=.014) and metabolic syndrome (OR=2.489; 95% CI, 1.44-4.29; P=.001) were greater among inactive women compared with active women. In addition, researchers analyzed a subgroup of 229 postmenopausal women of whom they found to have the highest risk associated with inactivity.
Based on these findings, researchers wrote further studies are needed to determine the impact of dietary patterns on the metabolic profile in both active and inactive women.
Disclosure:The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.