1.Assessment of Physical Activity Level among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at Cheras Health Clinic, Kuala Lumpur
Nor Shazwani MN ; Suzana S ; Hanis Mastura Y ; Lim CJ ; Teh SC ; Mohd Fauzee MZ ; Lim HC ; Dahlia S ; Norliza M
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition 2010;16(1):101-112
A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the physical activity levels among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) at Cheras Health Clinic in
Kuala Lumpur. A total of 132 subjects (62 men and 70 women) aged 30 years and above participated in this study. Data was collected using an interview based
questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic and health profile information. Physical activity was assessed using a shortened version of the International
Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Anthropometric measurements and body fat were also taken. Glycaemic status, that is, HbA1c, fasting blood sugar
(FBS) and 2 hours post-prandial (2-HPP) were obtained from medical records. Results showed that the mean age of the patients was 51.9 + 5.8 years. The
majority of patients had poor glycaemic control based on HbA1c (70.7%), FBS (71.9%) and 2HPP (85.4%). Patients who were unmarried and aged(60 years and
above had a lower physical activity level (p<0.05). In the older age group, low physical activity was associated with poor glycaemic control (p<0.05). Patients
in the moderate and high physical activity level were motivated to perform physical activity so as to be healthy (68.1%). Low physical activity level among
patients was due to lack of time (54.5%) and lack of energy (21.2%). In conclusion, physical activity levels of the patients were unsatisfactory and associated with
poor glycaemic control, especially in the elderly. There is a need to encourage diabetic patients to undertake regular physical activity in order to achieve optimal
glycaemic control.