Factors Associated with Meeting Current Recommendation for Physical Activity in Scottish Adults with Diabetes

Abstract

It remains unclear which factors are instrumental in meeting the recommended physical activity in people with diabetes. We, therefore, aimed to determine the sociodemographic, health-related behavior and clinical factors associated with meeting the recommended levels of physical activity in Scottish adults with diabetes. The study was based on the nationally-representative cross-sectional Scottish Health Surveys (2014–2017). The study participants included a sub-sample of 1259 adults (≥16 years old) with diabetes. Physical activity was evaluated using international guidelines. Overall, 34.1% of the subjects met the recommended levels of physical activity. Independent determinants of meeting the recommended levels of physical activity include male gender (odds ratio (OR) 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–2.00) and being a non-smoker (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.02–2.56). Furthermore, meeting the recommended physical activity levels decreased with age (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.95–0.97), having a longstanding illness (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.34–0.93) and body mass index (OR 0.94; 95% CI 0.92–0.97), but increased with higher fruit and vegetable intake (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.07–1.25) and mental wellbeing (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02–1.06). Implementation of health promotion programs that target the identified determinants is needed to improve the recommended levels of physical activity among adults with diabetes.

Determinants of physical activity among 6856 individuals with diabetes: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…Individuals suffering from mental health conditions or distress may experience challenges concerning self-care in managing the diabetes condition compared with individuals with only somatic conditions. We also found that higher BMI and lower HRQoL were associated with lower MVPA, which support the results from other studies 11 34 37. Individuals with poor HRQoL and elevated BMI may suffer from discomfort, fatigue, shame and fear of exercise as barriers to engage in regular physical activity 38–40…”

“…A study by Martinez-Harvell et al 11 from 2020 found that 53.5% of 25 980 participants with diabetes from the USA did not meet the recommendations of physical activity (150 min/week of MVPA, or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity at least three times/week). A Scottish study by Salman et al 34 from 2019 found that 65.9% of 1259 participants did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity (150 min/week moderate or 75 min/week vigorous physical activity or equivalent combination). The inconsistency might be explained by differences in how physical activity was quantified and the populations included.…”

Determinants of physical activity among 6856 individuals with diabetes: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…Individuals suffering from mental health conditions or distress may experience challenges concerning self-care in managing the diabetes condition compared with individuals with only somatic conditions. We also found that higher BMI and lower HRQoL were associated with lower MVPA, which support the results from other studies 11 34 37. Individuals with poor HRQoL and elevated BMI may suffer from discomfort, fatigue, shame and fear of exercise as barriers to engage in regular physical activity 38–40…”

“…A study by Martinez-Harvell et al 11 from 2020 found that 53.5% of 25 980 participants with diabetes from the USA did not meet the recommendations of physical activity (150 min/week of MVPA, or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity at least three times/week). A Scottish study by Salman et al 34 from 2019 found that 65.9% of 1259 participants did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity (150 min/week moderate or 75 min/week vigorous physical activity or equivalent combination). The inconsistency might be explained by differences in how physical activity was quantified and the populations included.…”

Correlates of and changes in aerobic physical activity and strength training before and after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: findings from the HEBECO study

“…The differences between the HEBECO and HSE findings could be due to the differences in the measures of MSA and MVPA used, participant characteristics (eg, in comparison to the HSE study,40 the HEBECO sample included more educated adults who may be more aware of the benefits of MSA), or reflect genuine changes to the patterns of physical activity in the UK across time. In line with other studies,40 42 older adults (aged 65+ years), adults who were obese, those with before COVID-19 household income below 50 000 GBP and those who had conditions limiting physical activity were at greater risk of not meeting the WHO recommendations for both MVPA and MSA. These groups should be targeted by future interventions aimed at increasing physical activity.…”

Detailed descriptions of physical activity patterns among individuals with diabetes and prediabetes: the Lolland-Falster Health Study

“…Most prior studies used self-reported instruments and only estimated adherence to the recommendations of physical activity in individuals with diabetes 7 8 28 29. We identified few studies that used device-based measurements among individuals with diabetes or prediabetes to report physical activity intensities and adherence to WHO recommendations.…”

Determinants of physical activity among 6856 individuals with diabetes: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…Individuals suffering from mental health conditions or distress may experience challenges concerning self-care in managing the diabetes condition compared with individuals with only somatic conditions. We also found that higher BMI and lower HRQoL were associated with lower MVPA, which support the results from other studies 11 34 37. Individuals with poor HRQoL and elevated BMI may suffer from discomfort, fatigue, shame and fear of exercise as barriers to engage in regular physical activity 38–40…”

“…A study by Martinez-Harvell et al 11 from 2020 found that 53.5% of 25 980 participants with diabetes from the USA did not meet the recommendations of physical activity (150 min/week of MVPA, or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity at least three times/week). A Scottish study by Salman et al 34 from 2019 found that 65.9% of 1259 participants did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity (150 min/week moderate or 75 min/week vigorous physical activity or equivalent combination). The inconsistency might be explained by differences in how physical activity was quantified and the populations included.…”

Correlates of and changes in aerobic physical activity and strength training before and after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: findings from the HEBECO study

“…The differences between the HEBECO and HSE findings could be due to the differences in the measures of MSA and MVPA used, participant characteristics (eg, in comparison to the HSE study,40 the HEBECO sample included more educated adults who may be more aware of the benefits of MSA), or reflect genuine changes to the patterns of physical activity in the UK across time. In line with other studies,40 42 older adults (aged 65+ years), adults who were obese, those with before COVID-19 household income below 50 000 GBP and those who had conditions limiting physical activity were at greater risk of not meeting the WHO recommendations for both MVPA and MSA. These groups should be targeted by future interventions aimed at increasing physical activity.…”

Detailed descriptions of physical activity patterns among individuals with diabetes and prediabetes: the Lolland-Falster Health Study

“…Most prior studies used self-reported instruments and only estimated adherence to the recommendations of physical activity in individuals with diabetes 7 8 28 29. We identified few studies that used device-based measurements among individuals with diabetes or prediabetes to report physical activity intensities and adherence to WHO recommendations.…”

Determinants of physical activity among 6856 individuals with diabetes: a nationwide cross-sectional study

“…Individuals suffering from mental health conditions or distress may experience challenges concerning self-care in managing the diabetes condition compared with individuals with only somatic conditions. We also found that higher BMI and lower HRQoL were associated with lower MVPA, which support the results from other studies 11 34 37. Individuals with poor HRQoL and elevated BMI may suffer from discomfort, fatigue, shame and fear of exercise as barriers to engage in regular physical activity 38–40…”

“…A study by Martinez-Harvell et al 11 from 2020 found that 53.5% of 25 980 participants with diabetes from the USA did not meet the recommendations of physical activity (150 min/week of MVPA, or 75 min/week of vigorous intensity at least three times/week). A Scottish study by Salman et al 34 from 2019 found that 65.9% of 1259 participants did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity (150 min/week moderate or 75 min/week vigorous physical activity or equivalent combination). The inconsistency might be explained by differences in how physical activity was quantified and the populations included.…”

Correlates of and changes in aerobic physical activity and strength training before and after the onset of COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: findings from the HEBECO study

“…The differences between the HEBECO and HSE findings could be due to the differences in the measures of MSA and MVPA used, participant characteristics (eg, in comparison to the HSE study,40 the HEBECO sample included more educated adults who may be more aware of the benefits of MSA), or reflect genuine changes to the patterns of physical activity in the UK across time. In line with other studies,40 42 older adults (aged 65+ years), adults who were obese, those with before COVID-19 household income below 50 000 GBP and those who had conditions limiting physical activity were at greater risk of not meeting the WHO recommendations for both MVPA and MSA. These groups should be targeted by future interventions aimed at increasing physical activity.…”

Detailed descriptions of physical activity patterns among individuals with diabetes and prediabetes: the Lolland-Falster Health Study

“…Most prior studies used self-reported instruments and only estimated adherence to the recommendations of physical activity in individuals with diabetes 7 8 28 29. We identified few studies that used device-based measurements among individuals with diabetes or prediabetes to report physical activity intensities and adherence to WHO recommendations.…”