A new study has found that college students who integrate exercise into their daily routines may be at a lower risk of developing heart problems or diabetes, according to findings published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
During a nine-year trial, a team of researchers from Tufts University in Boston examined metabolic risks, body fat index and physical activity level in more than 560 college students.
The investigators discovered that despite their young age, individuals who had a higher body fat percentage already began developing symptoms that could lead to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Also, the results showed that exercising everyday had more of an impact on metabolic risks than losing body fat.
“If a students body fat percentage is higher than desirable, our results suggest exercise may be an important step in improving their health and reducing their risk of developing cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes later in life,” said Jennifer Sacheck, assistant professor of nutrition science and policy at Tufts. She added that “even walking to class instead of taking the campus shuttle bus is a start.”
In addition to lowering the risks of these health complications, college students who exercise daily can also improve their cognitive function, as a report by The Franklin Institute stated that walking everyday will improve oxygen levels in the brain, leading to better memory and energy production.