Walking or Cycling to Work Lessen Diabetes Risk

If you walk or bike to work you cut your risk level in developing Type 2 diabetes by about 40 percent, according to a study published by American Journal of Preventative Medicine on August 6, 2013. It studied different ways people use to get to work and how it impacted their health. Obviously driving to work was not the top way to protect against obesity and chronic disease.

The study surveyed 20,000 people across the U.K. for the study. They found that people who cycled, walked and used public transportation were less likely to be overweight than those who drove.

19% of people surveyed who drive to work were obese, only 15% of those who walk are obese, while only 13% of the people who use their bicycle to work are obese.

Cyclists were about 50 percent less likely to have diabetes compared to drivers. People who walked to work were 40 percent less likely to have diabetes and 17 percent less likely to have high blood pressure compared to those who took their cars.

According to American Diabetes Association 25.8 million children and adults in the U.S. have diabetes.