Ana Pinto PhD

Excessive sedentary behavior is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, whereas reducing sitting and increasing physical activity can reduce the progression from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes (T2D). This is particularly important to women at risk of T2D, as attenuations in glucose responses to active interruptions to sitting is more pronounced in women compared to men; however, little is known about the mechanisms behind such difference. The purpose of Dr. Pinto's seed grant study is to obtain a unique understanding of why women may have a greater benefit in glycemia responses to acute and chronic exposure to active interruptions to sitting when compared to men. This study will lay foundation for future work to better understand sex differences in responses to active interruptions to sitting. The important of understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms behind the effect of interrupting sedentary behaviors on glycemic responses is significant given the current epidemic of T2D and the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases in the U.S. and other high economy countries worldwide related to the clinical problem of diabetes. Physical activity is a cornerstone in T2D management, thus identifying physical activity strategies targeting prevention/treatment of T2D that are more beneficial to women is fundamental given that women with T2D appear to suffer worse cardiovascular consequences than their male counterparts.