INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is an important factor in reducing morbidity from type 2 diabetes mellitus and maintaining quality of life. There is no available data on physical activity among Filipino patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives are to assess the physical activity level of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the UP-PGH Diabetes Clinic using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and to determine the relationship between physical activity, health profiles and socio-demographic characteristics.
METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the physical activity levels of 151 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (46 men and 105 women) using GPAQ. Anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic profiles and HbA1c were also taken.
RESULTS: Majority of subjects had moderate to high physical activity (68.9%) and most of the patients had poor glycemic control based on HbA1c of ?7% (68.2%). Subjects aged 60 years and above (68.1%; p=0.022) and with poor glycemic control (89.4%; p=<0.001) had low physical activity level. There is no significant statistical correlation between physical activity, anthropometric profile and other socio-demographic characteristics.
CONCLUSION: Majority of the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the UP-PGH Diabetes Clinic had moderate to high physical activity level. Subjects with poor glycemic control and older age group were associated with low physical activity.