Effect of Physical Activity and Obesity on Type 2 Diabetes in a Middle-Aged Population

Background. The physical activity has been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of physical activities such as occupational, household and daily lifestyle activities and obesity on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged population. Methods. All people (n = 2053), aged 45–64 years were selected for this study from the large sample of population-based cross-sectional data collected in the 1990–1994 by National Health Survey of Pakistan. The participants completed in-person interviews at baseline; the overall response rate was 92.6%. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risk of developing the type 2 diabetes. Results. Stair climbing was found to be inversely associated with the risk of diabetes and cycling was also associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (RR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.68–1.00, P = .048). The relationship between physical activity and reduced risk of diabetes adjusted for age and body mass index was statistically significant only in women (P < .01). Conclusions. This study provides an incentive that physical activity in leisure-time exercise or daily activity reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes in a high-risk population.