Correlation Between Physical Activity and Health Status Among Elderly with Diabetes

Abstract

Epidemiological studies show that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance (GTG) increase in line with the age. The increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is associated with changes in lifestyle, including smoking, consumption of alcoholic beverages, physical activity, and eating patterns which is low in vegetables and fruits, obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia. This study was aimed to determine the relationship between physical activity with the health status of elderly diabetes mellitus patients. This research was a quantitative study with cross sectional design. The sampling technique in this study used quota sampling. The samples were 50 elderly patients with Diabetes Mellitus. Univariate data analysis was used to look for frequency distribution, bivariate analysis used was chi square, and data normality was tested using Wilk Shappiro test. Physical activity data was collected by using a questionnaire. Nutritional status data was performed by anthropometric examination to determine BMI and waist circumference. Data on random blood sugar levels and total blood cholesterol levels were obtained using easy touch sticks and the results of the study resulted in the majority of DM patients aged ≥ 60 years (60%), having elementary education (74.0%), having a family history of Diabetes Mellitus (62 %), female sex (92%), mostly having good diet (58.0%), poor physical activity (58%), have diabetes mellitus blood sugar levels (84.0%), fat body mass index (36%), high limit cholesterol levels (46%), and central obesity (84%). Physical activity related to health status at fasting blood sugar levels (p value = 0.042) was not related to cholesterol levels (p value = 0.758), not related to obesity (p value = 1,000), and related to central obesity (p value = 0.015).