Obesity and type 2 diabetes are significant public health issues, with 31% of British Colombians living with prediabetes or diabetes. Not participating in regular physical activity increases the risk for obesity and type 2 diabetes but we still don’t know exactly how. Within days of switching from high activity to inactivity, people have an increase in the blood sugar lowering hormone insulin but at the same time become resistant to insulin’s action. This is followed by weight gain.
Recent research has found that high insulin levels can cause insulin resistance and weight gain. It is possible, then, that the increased insulin level seen when becoming physically inactive causes insulin resistance and weight gain, increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Our study will test this hypothesis directly by using genetically modified mice that make less insulin. These mice will perform high physical activity on running wheels and then transition to low physical activity when the wheel is locked.
By having a greater understanding on the mechanisms behind physical inactivity increasing the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, our findings could help develop treatments to prevent the onset of these diseases.