What type of physical activity is recommended for Rita to help reduce her diabetes risk?

Walking for exercise is recommended for Rita to help reduce her diabetes risk due to its accessibility, low-impact nature, and effectiveness in managing blood glucose levels. Regular moderate-intensity activities like walking can enhance insulin sensitivity, promote weight management, and improve overall cardiovascular health, all of which are crucial factors in diabetes prevention.

Walking also has the added benefit of being a sustainable activity that can be easily incorporated into daily routines, making it more likely that a person will stick with it over the long term. Additionally, engaging in regular physical activity like walking is associated with a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as it helps improve metabolic health and stimulates the muscles to utilize glucose more efficiently.

Other forms of physical activity, such as high-intensity weight lifting or extreme endurance sports, while potentially effective for some individuals, may not be as practical or necessary for individuals at risk for diabetes. Prolonged sedentary behavior, on the other hand, clearly presents health risks and would not be beneficial in reducing diabetes risk. Therefore, walking serves as a safe, practical, and effective option for enhancing health and mitigating the risk of diabetes.