Healthnotes Newswire (June 28, 2001)—Decreasing sedentary time watching television and exercising regularly may decrease the risk of developing adult-onset (known as type 2) diabetes, according to a study published in this week’s Archives of Internal Medicine.

Researchers from Harvard University followed 37,918 men, aged 40 to 75 years, for one decade. At the beginning of the study, all participants were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Twice yearly throughout the duration of the study they were asked to report their average time watching TV.

Men who had the highest level of exercise weekly and watched the least TV (less than 3.5 hours per week) had a significantly reduced risk of developing diabetes. In contrast, those who spent their leisure time in front of the TV (more than 15 hours per week) and exercised the least were more likely to develop diabetes.

The TV-watching couch potatoes were also more likely to be overweight, smoke, drink alcohol, and eat higher amounts of saturated fats, red meat, French fries , and high-sugar desserts. They also ate lower amounts of fish, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains than those who exercised regularly.