Physical activity levels by glycemia status: A population-based cross-sectional study in Peru

To assess whether the prevalence of low physical activity levels and time spent watching TV differ depending on glycemia status.

A secondary analysis using data from a population-based study was conducted. Two were the outcomes: physical activity levels, derived from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and sitting time watching TV. The exposure was glycemia status, defined based on results of the oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT): euglycemia, dysglycemia, and T2DM. The T2DM group was further split into: aware and unaware of T2DM diagnosis. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% CI were reported using Poisson regression models.

Data of 1607 individuals, mean age 48.2 (SD: 10.6) years, 809 (50.3%) females, were analyzed. Dysglycemia and T2DM was present in 16.9% (95% CI: 15.1%-18.8%) and 11.0% (95% CI: 9.5%-12.6%) of participants, respectively. A total of 605 (37.6%; 95% CI: 35.2%-39.9%) participants had low levels of physical activity and 1019 (63.3%; 95% CI: 60.9%-65.7%) subjects spent ≥2 h per day sitting watching TV. In multivariable model, there was no significant association between glycemia status and physical activity levels (PR = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.95-1.36). Similar result was found between glycemia status and sitting time watching TV. However, those aware of T2DM diagnosis were more likely to have low levels of physical activity (PR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.06-1.61) compared to the euglycemia group.

We found a no relationship between glycemia status and physical activity level or sitting time watching TV, pointing out similar levels of physical (in)activity among those with euglycemia, dysglycemia and T2DM. Individuals aware of having T2DM were 30% more likely to have low physical activity levels compared to the euglycemic group. There is a need to increase physical activity levels among T2DM individuals.