Table 9: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and risk of developing
type 2 diabetes
| Evidence |
Decreased risk |
No relationship |
Increased risk |
NSP, non-starch polysaccharides.
a Includes gestational diabetes.
b As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively
breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development
and health (59).
|
| Convincing |
Voluntary weight loss in overweight and obese people |
|
Overweight and obesity |
| Abdominal obesity |
| Physical activity |
Physical inactivity |
| Maternal diabetesa |
| Probable |
NSP |
|
Saturated fats |
| Intrauterine growth retardation |
| Possible |
n-3 fatty acids |
|
Total fat intake |
| Low glycaemic index foods |
Trans fatty acids |
| Exclusive breastfeedingb |
| Insufficient |
Vitamin E |
|
Excess alcohol |
| Chromium |
| Magnesium |
| Moderate alcohol |
Source: WHO/FAO "Diet, Nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases"
Section 5.3.4 Strength of evidence 
