So you may think that you are immune to the hazards of diabetes, despite being overweight, because you work out. Well, I hate to break it to you, but you’re wrong. New research has found that it doesn’t matter how often you exercise because the most effective way of reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is cultivating a healthy weight.

Even the most physically active individuals who were obese were five times more likely of developing type 2 diabetes compared to people of a healthy weight.

An Australian study of more than 30,000 people, conducted by the Sax Institute, determined that if you are overweight or obese, physical exercise won’t protect from the disease. The study concluded that even the most physically active individuals who were obese were five times more likely of developing type 2 diabetes compared to people of a healthy weight.

And who were not obese, but overweight were twice as likely to develop the disease. The study debunked the myth that being fat but fit would reduce your likelihood of developing the disease.

Although being fit is an important component is weight management, what is even more important is embracing a healthy diet.

So if you want to get your weight under control, small changes in your diet may do the trick. Think smaller portion sizes and switching from high fat to low-fat dairy products, can go a long way towards helping you manage your weight and fend off type 2 diabetes.