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Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Physical Activity in Pediatric Diabetes

March 15, 2024
By: Stephanie Manthanarack

Are cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical activity lower among youths with diabetes compared with youths without diabetes?

In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 studies including 1988 youths with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 59 studies with 14 278 youths with type 1 diabetes (T1D), CRF was 44.5% lower and physical activity 8.3% lower in youths with T2D compared with peers without diabetes. Both CRF and physical activity were 10% lower in youths with T1D compared with peers without diabetes.

These findings suggest that deficits in CRF are larger and more consistent in youths with T2D vs T1D, reinforcing calls for novel interventions to empower these youths to engage in regular physical activity.

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