Correlation between Glycemic Control and Physical Activity Level in Adolescents and Children with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to correlate glycemic control (GC) and variables of physical activity levels (PAL) in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: Fifty children and adolescents with T1DM were selected. Personal and medical data for the patients were collected. Physical evaluations of body weight and sexual maturation were undertaken. Bouchard’s questionnaire was applied to evaluate PAL as well as for time spent on physical activities. Results: Sixty-four percent of the subjects were sexually mature. Differences were observed between females and males in insulin dose, duration of light physical activity, and sleeping time (P < .05). Ninety percent presented poor GC and 80% had a low PAL. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was significantly correlated with PAL, with sedentary time, and with sleeping time. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was significantly correlated with sedentary time and sleeping time. Among the three groups of PAL (insufficient × moderate × active) there were differences in HbA1c (%), FBG (mg/dL), duration of disease (years), and insulin dose (UI/kg/day) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: GC was significantly correlated with PAL. Among the three groups of physical activity level, the most active group was seen to have the best GC.