The other major T2D risk factor is physical inactivity. In addition to controlling weight, exercise improves glucose and lipid metabolism, which decreases T2D risk. Physical activity, such as daily walking or cycling for more than 30 minutes, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of T2D. Physical activity has also been inversely related to body mass index.

Recently, intervention studies in China, Finland, and the US have shown that lifestyle interventions targeting diet and exercise decreased the risk of progression of impaired glucose tolerance to T2D by approximately 60%. In contrast, prophylactic oral hypoglycemic medication only reduced the risk of progression by about 30%.