A useful exercise

Despite the common blandishment we routinely give to our patients that “exercise is good for you,” it has been surprisingly difficult to find a recent summary of the evidence for the benefits of exercise in diabetes. The central theme of this book—that exercise and control of obesity are potent weapons in the “war” on diabetes—is directly relevant to medical practitioners at the sharp end, ranging from GPs with special interests to physicians.

The book begins with the familiar tale of the increasing prevalence of diabetes and then goes on to explore international and cultural perspectives on the disease. It considers the link between Westernisation and rising prevalence; for example, Pima Indians living a traditional lifestyle in Mexico have a prevalence of 6% (in men) and 8.5% (women), whereas on the US side of the border …