Abstract
BackgroundDespite evidence of the benefits of physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetes, it is poorly addressed in diabetes care. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and correlates of meeting ≥600MET-min/wk. (150 min/wk) of physical activity and sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes in Oman. Approaches to encourage physical activity in diabetes care were explored.MethodsA cross-sectional study using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was conducted in 17 randomly selected primary health centres in Muscat. Clinical data including co-morbidities were extracted from the health information system. Questions on physical activity preferences and approaches were included. Patients were approached if they were ≥18 years, and had been registered in the diabetes clinic for >2 years.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 305 people (females 57% and males 43%). Mean age (SD) was 57 (10.8) years and mean BMI (SD) was 31.0 (6.0) kg/m2. Duration of diabetes ranged from 2 to 25 (mean 7.6) years. Hypertension (71%) and dyslipidaemia (62%) were common comorbidities. Most (58.4%) had an HbA1c ≥7% indicating poor glycaemic control (55% in males vs 61% in females).Physical activity recommendations were met by 21.6% of the participants, mainly through leisure activities. Odds of meeting the recommendations were significantly higher in males (OR 4.8, 95% CI 2.5–9.1), individuals ≤57 years (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.6–5.9), those at active self-reported stages of change for physical activity (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.1) and those reporting no barriers to performing physical activity (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4–4.9).Median (25th, 75th percentiles) sitting time was 705 (600, 780) min/d. Older age (>57 years) was associated with longer sitting time (>705 min/d) (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.7–4.6).Preferred methods to support physical activity in routine diabetes care were consultations (38%), structured physical activity sessions (13.4%) and referrals to physical activity facilities (5.6%) delivered by a variety of health care providers.ConclusionsThe results suggest that intervention strategies should take account of gender, age, opportunities within daily life to promote active behaviour and readiness to change. Offering physical activity consultations is of interest to this study population, thus development and evaluation of interventions are warranted.
Highlights
Despite evidence of the benefits of physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetes, it is poorly addressed in diabetes care
Meeting the physical activity (PA) recommendations was more common in males P < 0.001, unmarried individuals P = 0.004, those who completed higher education P = 0.030, and had an income of 500- < 1000 Omani rials P = 0.008, government employees P < 0.001
Overall, levels of PA were low across all activity domains and median sitting time was high
Summary
Despite evidence of the benefits of physical activity in the management of type 2 diabetes, it is poorly addressed in diabetes care. In countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the negative impact of diabetes on health care system expenditures, population productivity and quality of life is of great concern, especially in the Arab countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) where prevalence of diabetes is high [2]. In Oman, diabetes prevalence increased from 8.3% in 1991 to 12.3% in 2008 and the current estimate reported by IDF is 14.2% [1, 5]. Management of diabetes in Oman and other GCC countries is a public health concern as the countries of the MENA region are estimated to have a 96% increase in number of people with diabetes by 2035 [1]
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