association of physical activity with risk of type 2 diabetes

background: physical activity has shown to prevent type diabetes 2. however, the type, intensity and amount of effective physi­cal activity as well as individuals' needs according to level of their risk for type 2 diabetes have not been clarified comprehen­sively. this study investigated a relation between moderate aerobic physical activity ≥150 minuets/week with de­creased risk of type 2 diabetes among obese and non-obese residents of south of tehran, iran. methods: this study, which was a part of the cardiovascular risk factors survey in tehran population lab region, was de­signed and conducted based on monica/who project. totally, 1552 adult inhabitants of 17th district of tehran were en­rolled in this cross-sectional study. physical activity was assessed by monica optional study of physical activity question­naire. diabetes was defined as a history of a prior diagnosis of diabetes or fasting serum glucose ≥126 mg/dl. all data analyses were conducted using spss 17 software for windows. results: in a multivariate model, moderate aerobic physical activity ≥150 minuets/week was significantly associated with de­creased risk of type 2 diabetes in all and non-obese subjects [or= 0.56; 95%ci: 0.35-0.91 and or= 0.50; 95%ci: 0.26-0.94, respectively]. there was no significant relation between the physical activity and type 2 diabetes risk in obese subjects [or=0.64; 95%ci: 0.30-1.39]. conclusion: moderate aerobic physical activity ≥150 minuets/week was significantly associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes in non-obese people and could be an acceptable exercise goal for these individuals. however, obese people should be investigated more to produce a tailored exercise guideline to this population at high risk of type 2 diabetes.