Early Life Physical Activity May Reduce the Risk of Developing Type 1 Diabetes: The Longitudinal ABIS Study

Aim The impact of early‐life physical activity is significant on long‐term health outcomes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between early‐life physical activity and later development of type 1 diabetes. Materials and Methods A total of 16,415 children were included in a longitudinal prospective population‐based birth cohort, of whom ( n = 169) type 1 diabetes cases were identified until 2023 using the Swedish National Diagnosis and Drug Prescription Registers. Cox regression was used for hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval, and adjusted for low maternal education, family type 1 diabetes history, and BMI as confounders. Results Results show an inverse association between high physical activity and type 1 diabetes risk from age 3–25 years. Both male/female demonstrated substantial protective effects at age 3 and 5 years but female showed weaker effects at age 8 compared to males. HR for males/females at age 3 was [0.42 (0.30–0.68, p = 0.021); 0.45 (0.32–0.70, p = 0.025)], at age 5 [0.58 (0.37–0.85, p = 0.038); 0.63 (0.40–0.86, p = 0.045)], and at 8 years [0.63 (0.40–0.93, p = 0.046), 0.70 (0.47–1.18, p > 0.05)]. After confounder adjustments, the effects were still significant at age 3 and five in both males/females. aHR in males/females at age 3 was [0.48 (0.34–0.80, p = 0.027); 0.50 (0.32–0.82, p = 0.025)], and at age 5 [0.66 (0.38–0.97, p = 0.048); 0.72 (0.45–0.95, p = 0.048)]. As age increases, the protective effects became weaker ( p > 0.05). Conclusion Physical activity in early childhood may reduce the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, and should be facilitated and encouraged.