Level of physical activity and barriers to exercise in adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Introduction Physical activity (PA) is an important element in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management. The aims of this study were to assess the percentage of adults with T2DM who perform PA, according to the intensity level and to describe barriers to exercise and the association between metabolic control and other clinical variables. Methods Multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study. Data were collected through the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the PA Barrier Questionnaire. Adults (18–65 years old) with T2DM from 17 Argentine diabetes centers were included, from May to July 2018. Results A total of 270 men (54.9 ± 9.8 years) and 225 women (55.3 ± 9.6 years) were included. Duration of diabetes: 8.2 ± 6.3 years. The BMI in men was 32 ± 10.6 kg/m 2 , whereas that in women was 32.5 ± 7.2 kg/m 2 . The last two HbA1c values were 7.6 ± 1.7% and 7.5 ± 1.6. Results also showed that 12.7% had clinical heart disease, 13.7% had nephropathy, 20.8% had neuropathy, 6.1% had diabetic foot and 14.1% had retinopathy. The level of PA was low in 52.3% of the patients studied and moderate in 30.5%. The most frequent barriers were: “lack of will” (59.6%) and “lack of energy” (37.2%). The low level of PA was associated with age (OR: 1.05 per year of age; p < 0.001), HbA1c (OR: 1.16 per 1%; p < 0.05), BMI (OR: 1.06 per kg/m 2 ; p < 0.001) and sex (OR: 1.69 for women; p < 0.01). Conclusions PA in a cornerstone in management T2DM. Nevertheless, in this study, 52.3% of T2DM adults showed low level of PA. The main barriers reported were related to low personal motivation. These factors should be taken into account to implement programs to promote physical activity.

Physical activity prevalence and barriers among type 2 diabetic patients, Kudai and Al-hijra primary health care center, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

“…Another research done in Argentina indicated different frequent obstacles, with lack of willpower being the most common (59.6%) and lack of energy being the second most common (37.2%) (Martin et al, 2021). Our findings contrasted with those of a Saudi Arabian study, which found that lack of resources is the most prevalent obstacle overall (48.4%), and the most common among males (37%) and among females (63%) (Alzahrani et al, 2019).…”

“…However not all patients with T2DM achieve the PA goals. Also, Martin et al, (2021) detected that more than half of Americans' diabetic patients did not achieve the PA recommended level. And in Argentina only 51% managed to perform low level PA.…”

Factors Associated With Changes in Objectively Measured Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Several reports have shown that individuals with diabetes engage in less PA than those without. 30,31 In patients with diabetes, emotional factors like willpower and confidence in exercise ability have been reported as major barriers to increasing PA. 32,33 Similar factors may have been involved for patients with diabetes in our study. The association between hemoglobin levels and increased MVPA is likely mediated by exercise capacity.…”

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

“…In our study, most individuals with diabetes who were not sufficiently active were motivated to increase their physical activity level (60%), which suggests that other factors prevent them from increasing their physical activity level. Previous studies have found that mental health, lack of time and energy, working schedule, economic circumstances, and social support are reasons for not being more physically active 38 44–46. These reasons are also important to consider when designing and promoting a physical activity intervention.…”