Weight loss through increased physical activities and dietary changes reduces incidence of urinary incontinence in pre-diabetic females. Prediabetes is a condition when blood glucose gets higher than standard, however not still diabetic. A new study, issued in Diabetes Care, February issue, in which females who contributed in DPP or Diabetes Preventions Program, a breakthrough clinical research financed by NIH, found that they lost 5 – 7% weight through consistent increase in moderate physical activity such as a 30 minute walk, reduced start of type 2 diabetes by around 58%. Metformin treatment lowered chances of diabetes by around 31%.
To fight against dual epidemics of type two diabetes and obesity, USA needs to realize about confirmed benefits of weight loss through increased physical activities and reduced calorie intake.
The study, assigned around 3,234 obese individuals with above-normal glucose in blood to 1 of 3 approaches for preventing type 2 diabetes; increased physical activities and dietary changes aimed at 7% weight loss; cure with metformin or placebo. Last 2 groups were given standard advice about weight loss and diet. In that study, 660 females were arbitrarily assigned to the intense lifestyle changes, 661 to placebo and 636 with metformin treatment. Average age of the women was 50 years and average BMI was 35. Females who implemented an intensive lifestyle changes, lost 5-7% weight experienced fewer incidents of weekly incontinence than those on placebo or metformin click for more info.
Weight loss was specifically effective in lowering stress incontinence episodes, leaking of urine in physical movement like sneezing, coughing and exercise. Stress incontinence outcomes, in larger part, from weakening pelvic floor which support bladder. Although researchers don’t completely understand factors behind it, it is connected diabetes, obesity and many other conditions, like pregnancy that increase pelvic floor pressure. In DPP participants, weight loss didn’t ease urge incontinence unexpected leaking of urine.
Over 13 million of US women population, mostly middle or old aged, experience loss of bladder control. Overweight females and with type 2 diabetes have 50 to 70% increased risks of incontinence. In National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 to 2002 sample, 1 out of 3 with pre-diabetes or diabetes glucose level reported weekly or frequent UI episodes.
Some of the studies have also reported that increased physical activity worsens the incontinence; however DPP participant’s arbitrarily assigned changes in lifestyle, who usually chose walking as a physical activity, didn’t have increased issues with UI.