New figures show global diabetes prevalence has increased by 16% in the past two years, with 537 million adults (aged 20-79) now estimated to be living with the chronic condition.

Over this same time period, COVID has stopped us doing some of the things that help prevent and manage diabetes.

Now lockdowns have eased in many places, it is vital we get moving again – and in the right way – to change this picture.

Reducing sitting time is a good starting place to help people with diabetes, pre-diabetes and other chronic conditions to reach healthier levels of physical activity.

Data from the International Diabetes Federation’s 10th Diabetes Atlas, officially launched today, shows about 10% of the world’s population aged 20–79 now live with diabetes, and diabetes prevalence is predicted to steadily increase to around 784 million adults by 2045.

Most of these people live with type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose).

This can progress to common diabetes complications such as blindness, nerve damage, heart disease and kidney disease. Recent reports point to an even wider range of diabetes impacts like increased risk of liver disease, dementia, depression, and some cancers.

Our research highlights regular movement as a key way to help manage diabetes and help prevent complications. Getting moving effectively improves glucose control, blood pressure, vascular health and memory.

As we transition to COVID-normal, we must leave lockdown levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour behind.

Simple lifestyle strategies to reduce sitting time and replace it with either standing or, even better, light physical activity improve metabolism, and for people with type 2 diabetes can prevent and help “sponge up” rising blood glucose levels if insulin isn’t being produced properly.

And some evidence shows greater time spent doing light activities daily like household chores, playing with pets, or light garden work, can provide greater blood sugar control over 24 hours than structured workouts.

We are currently testing how these small changes influence diabetes in a clinical trial. Our goal is to help desk workers with diabetes reduce and break up their sitting time.

One of our trial participants, Lorys, 64, was gutted when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 11 years ago.

Like many people, he was leading a sedentary lifestyle. A demanding job involving long hours at the computer meant he was sitting for most of the day, stressed and anxious about his health.

As part of the trial, Lorys has started using a sit-stand workstation and an activity tracker to encourage regular short walks throughout the day.

He’s focussed on gradual lifestyle changes, small steps that feel achievable and have already added up to make a big difference.

Whether we have type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, or just want to get back to a healthier lifestyle post-lockdowns, most of us can benefit from some simple changes:

1. try using a height-adjustable (sit-to-stand) desk. Start standing for a few minutes each day and gradually scale up to standing or walking for 30 minutes of every hour

2. use phone meetings or phone calls as a prompt to stand

3. try walking work meetings or catching up with friends for a walk

4. after finishing a work task or an episode of your favourite TV show, take a short walk around the block

5. set a calendar reminder or use a wearable device to prompt you to stand up and move regularly throughout the day.

It’s been a tough couple of years, especially for people living which chronic health conditions. But it’s not too late to make changes to prevent and manage diabetes and its complications.

(Christian Brakenridge is a PhD Candidate, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, and David Dunstan is a Professor and Laboratory Head of Physical Activity, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.)

(This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. FIT neither endorses nor is responsible for them. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article here.)