Physical activity in adults with and without diabetes: from the "high-risk" approach to the "population-based" approach of preventionSibai AM, Costanian C, Tohme R, Assaad S, Hwalla N, have published a study looking at physical activity levels in those at risk or with diabetes Who took part?Adults in Lebanon 25 years old and over who took part in the "Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor" Study. What has been measured?
Physical activity
Physical activity was measured using the IPAQ questionnaire, divided into 3 groups, inactive, moderately active, highly active. Diabetes and risk factors
"Having diabetes" - self-report of a diagnosis of diabetes by a health professional, not including gestational diabetes. Other covariates:
Sex, location (Beirut or outside), education (low - less than 12 years schooling, middle - at least 12 years schooling, high - holding a university bachelor's degree or higher), "having received health professional advice to exercise more" within 6 months prior to the survey. What did they find?
The mean BMI was 27.8kg/m2, and 29% were obese (BMI 30 or over). Just under half were inactive, 31% were moderately active, and 22% were highly active. Physical activity was higher in women, those living outside Beirut and without university degrees.
What does the paper suggest?More patients could benefit from receiving more advice about physical activity, even if they do not yet have diabetes. Focus on physical activity as a prevention of diabetes rather than a treatment for it. The paper can be read here. Sibai AM, Costanian C, Tohme R, Assaad S, Hwalla N |