The incidence of diabetes has been steadily increasing in the US in recent years. A new study of the effects of dietary and lifestyle factors on the development of type 2 diabetes found that the majority of new cases could be prevented by adoption of a healthier lifestyle.

The study followed nearly 95,000 female nurses for 16 years. When the study began, they were free of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Information about their diet and lifestyle was updated periodically.

The researchers documented 3,300 new cases of type 2 diabetes and found overweight or obesity to be the single most important predictor of diabetes in these women. (Genetic factors were not examined in this study.) Those who did not exercise, ate a poor diet, smoked and refrained from drinking alcohol faced a significantly increased risk of diabetes, even after adjusting for weight. Conversely, the incidence of diabetes was exceptionally low in women with these characteristics: body mass index of 25; diet high in cereal fiber and polyunsaturated fat and low in trans fat and glycemic load; moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least a half hour a day; non-smokers; consumption of an average of half a drink of an alcoholic beverage a day.

Related information: Benefits of weight loss | Obesity and Diabetes