Changes in physical activity among adults with diabetes: a longitudinal cohort study of inactive patients with Type 2 diabetes who become physically active

AIMS: To identify the predictors and clinical effects among inactive patients with diabetes who become physically active, in the setting of a large integrated health system. METHODS: We studied adults with Type 2 diabetes with at least two clinic visits between December 2011 and November 2012 who reported being inactive at their first visit. The mean (±sd) interval between their first and last visit was 6.2 (±2.3) months. We analysed self‐reported moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity data collected using a structured intake form during routine clinical care. RESULTS: The study cohort (N = 6853) had a mean age of 60.2 years; 51.4% were women and 53.6% were non‐white. Nearly two‐thirds (62.5%, n = 4280) reported remaining physically inactive, while 16.0% reported achieving the recommended moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity levels (≥ 150 min/week) by the last visit of the study period. Female gender (odds ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.67, 0.88), obesity (BMI 30–34.9 kg/m(2): odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.60, 0.97; BMI ≥ 35 kg/m(2): odds ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.42, 0.70), chronic kidney disease (odds ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.65, 0.94) and depression (odds ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.62, 0.96) were each independently associated with not achieving the recommended moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity level, while physician referral to lifestyle education was a positive predictor (odds ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.09, 1.85). Controlling for baseline differences, patients achieving the recommended moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity target lost 1.0 kg more weight compared with patients remaining inactive (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes in a real‐world clinical setting lost weight after becoming physically active; however, nearly two‐thirds of patients remained inactive. Novel interventions to address physical inactivity in primary care should address barriers faced by older patients with medically complex disease.