AIMS: Whilst physical activity (PA) is an important component of managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), most adults with T2DM are not engaging in recommended levels of PA. Our aim was to examine self-reported PA beliefs, attitudes and behaviours, and to investigate whether self-reported PA differs by person- and diabetes-specific factors, using the Diabetes MILES – Australia dataset.
METHOD: Diabetes MILES – Australia was a national survey of 3,338 adults with diabetes (59% had T2DM), which focused on psychosocial and behavioural issues. A subset of adults with T2DM (N=856) completed study-specific PA items and validated scales.
RESULTS: Despite strong endorsement of the importance of regular PA (96%) and confidence in engaging in PA (72%), only 17% of respondents reported meeting the recommended levels of PA. Inactivity was more prevalent among women than men (61% versus 39%; p<0.01) and among those using insulin than those using oral medication / diet alone (55% versus 49%; p<0.01). Compared with adults who met the recommended PA levels, respondents who were not meeting recommended PA levels were slightly younger (mean±standard deviation: 59±9 versus 61±8 years; p<0.01), had a longer diabetes duration (10±7 versus 8±7 years; p<0.01), had a higher body mass index (37±10 versus 30±6; p<0.01), had higher levels of depression (10±7 versus 5±5; p<0.01), and reported more co-morbidities (4.6±3.1 versus 2.8±1.9; p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite holding positive attitudes and beliefs about PA, the majority of adults with T2DM are not engaging in the recommended levels of PA. Our results highlight some of the characteristics of the less active adults with T2DM, which may serve to assist healthcare professionals to identify people who may not be sufficiently active. Future research needs to determine whether low levels of PA are due to lack of support, motivation, or skills.