| Summary: | Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA) for the management of type 2
diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the topic of PA is poorly addressed in Saudi Arabia
(SA), especially in females with T2DM. The present study examined PA and its
associated factors in females with T2DM in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This
observational cross-sectional study was performed in a random sample of 372
women with T2DM. A face-to-face interview that covered PA, health and
environmental correlates of PA was performed. Discriminant analysis was used to
determine which barriers had the greatest impact on PA in these women. The
results showed that approximately 26.3% of the study participants met PA
recommendations. Multivariate linear regression revealed lower levels of PA were
associated with women who had more than three children (β = -0.17) compared to
women with no children, older age (β = -0.18), women with a duration of diabetes
≥ 6 years (β = -0.16), women who were obese (β = -0.23), women with no family
support (β = -0.20), no friend support (β = -0.13) and no healthcare provider
support (β = -0.14). Discriminant analysis indicated that culture and tradition,
lack of skills and knowledge, safety, fatigue, lack of time, weather conditions,
and lack of facilities were the barriers that differentiated between the women
who met and those who did not meet the PA recommendations. The present study
suggests that the prevalence of PA is low and number of children, age, duration
of diabetes, Obesity, family support, friend support and healthcare provider
support are identified correlates of PA. These findings are valuable and should
be used to design and implement future PA interventions, especially for women
with T2DM. Healthcare providers may improve exercise levels and identify the
specific barriers to reaching the recommended level of PA to improve health
outcomes for each patient.
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