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Physical activity level and body composition among adults with type 1 diabetes
A S Brazeau1, C Leroux, H Mircescu
1Montreal Institute for Clinical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Aims:
Physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle and contributes to prevent weight gain and cardiometabolic disorders. Adults with Type 1 diabetes are at risk of weight gain attributable to various factors, including a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyle related to fear of exercise-induced hypoglycaemia. This project aims to observe the association between physical activity level and body composition in adults with Type 1 diabetes.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study; 75 adults with and 75 adults without diabetes (52% men; 41.8 ± 11.8 years old) wore a motion sensor for 1 week and performed a cardiorespiratory fitness test on an ergocycle (VO(2peak)). Body composition was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and circumferences measures.
Results:
Mean body composition was not different between the two groups. VO(2peak) was lower among the group with diabetes than the control subjects (29.3 ± 9.2 vs. 33.5 ± 9.0 ml kg(-1) min(-1); P = 0.005), but their physical activity level (ratio total/resting energy expenditure) was similar (1.68 ± 0.37 vs. 1.65 ± 0.26; P = 0.572). In both groups, having an active lifestyle (physical activity level ≥ 1.7) compared with a more sedentary lifestyle (physical activity level < 1.7) was associated with lower BMI and percentage of total and truncal fat mass (P ≤ 0.030 to P ≤ 0.001). Among adults with diabetes, physical activity level was not associated with diabetes treatment (insulin doses) and control (HbA(1c) and hypoglycaemia) or cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and lipid profile).
Conclusion:
As in the population without diabetes, an active lifestyle is associated with a better body composition profile in adults with Type 1 diabetes.
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