Real-world impact of ongoing regular exercise in overweight and obese US adults with diabetes on health care utilization and expenses

Abstract

AimsTo assess the effect of regular exercise on health care utilization patterns and expenses in a real-world national sample of overweight and obese US adults with diabetes. MethodsMedical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2010–2015) identified adults with diabetes and a body mass index (kg/m2) ≥25. Two groups were created: exercise (moderate or vigorous physical activity >30min at least five times weekly) and non-exercise groups. Outcomes measuredaverage total health care expenses (per-person per-annum) and the likelihood of hospitalization. ResultsAmong 5140 overweight and obese adults with diabetes, 49.1% reported exercising at least five times weekly. The exercise group showed lower medical care and prescription drug utilization than the non-exercise group (p<0.001). Total unadjusted health expenses in the exercise group were $5651 lower than the non-exercise group (p<0.001). After controlling for socioeconomic and health-related variables, regular exercise reduced total health care expenses by 22.1% (p<0.001) and the likelihood of hospitalization by 28% (p=0.001). ConclusionsReduced hospitalization and health care expenses were associated with regular exercise (≥30min at least five times weekly) in overweight and obese adults with diabetes.