Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: October-December | Volume: 4 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 81-90
Physical Activity Pattern among Young Adults with Newly Detected Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Ajithkumar Ponnamma Vibhakaran1, Manju Leela2, Deepa Mohandas3
1Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
2Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
3Additional Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, SAT Hospital, Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Corresponding Author: Ajithkumar Ponnamma Vibhakaran
ABSTRACT
Background: Lack of physical activity and visceral obesity are considered to be the major contributors to the global diabetes epidemic. There is a progressive increase in the prevalence of early onset type 2 diabetes in the young. Physical inactivity and sedentary life style has been reported as a significant modifiable risk factor. Regular physical activity and exercise is a major component in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
Methods: 117 consecutive subjects with new onset type 2 diabetes in the age group 18-44 years were included in the study. Socio demographic characteristics, anthropometric and biochemical measurements were carried out using standard techniques. Physical activity levels and sitting time were assessed by a validated and translated version of Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ-WHO).
Results: 36.8% participants were having low physical activity and 63.2% were having moderate physical activity. 64.1% participants had regular aerobic exercise without gap of more than 2 days in a row between sessions and 35.9% had exercise with more than 2 days gap. 75% of males and 63.3% females had Physical activity time duration of less than 30 minutes. A break after 30 minutes of sedentary activity was reported by 30.8% subjects and no break by 69.2% subjects.
Conclusions: Since up to 80 % of type 2 diabetes is preventable, participation in regular physical activity and reduced sedentary time is highly recommended in order to reduce the burden of type 2 diabetes in young adults.
Key words: Physical activity, Sedentary behaviour, New onset diabetes, Young adults.