Upstanding diabetes hope

Moving at work could boost health

SPENDING more of your working day standing and moving could be the magic recipe to improve the health of the one million Australian adults with type 2 diabetes.

The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is recruiting for a world-first study that will test whether using a standing desk and being given advice on how to move more during the working day can improve glucose control in desk-bound workers. Geelong workers will be included in the research.

The Baker’s head of physical activity, David Dunstan, said the centre’s previous research had separately shown it was possible to reduce sedentary time in an office setting, as well as improving blood glucose control and insulin levels in type 2 diabetes by increasing movement.

The 250 office workers recruited for the 18-month study would be the first real-world test.

“Our skeletal muscles are our largest users of glucose in the body, so when we’re up and active those muscles help our body clear and regulate blood glucose for energy,” Professor Dunstan said.

“We know that the more optimal diabetes control reduces the risk of those devastating complications down the track, like heart and kidney disease, amputations and blindness.

“If we can intervene early and really shift our habits and social norms, we may make inroads into improving the diabetes management in the future.”

Professor Dunstan said given increased sedentary time increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and also hampered disease control, he hoped the trial would be attractive to those looking to make new healthy habits.

“Figures around the world have shown that time spent sedentary has certainly increased over the lockdown restriction phase and the ongoing working from home phase,” Professor Dunstan said.

“Getting back into the office is a chance for a reset and an opportunity to start thinking of a different outlook to how we undertake our work during the typical working day.”

The Optimise trial will see participants given a heightadjustable desk, Fitbit and health coach support. Regular blood tests will measure glycaemic control, blood vessel function and heart health.