Change in Physical Activity after Diagnosis of Diabetes or Hypertension: Results from an Observational Population-Based Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus or hypertension are a major public health challenge. Irregular physical activity (PA) is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for chronic conditions and their complications. However, engaging in regular PA is a challenge for many individuals. The literature suggests that a diagnosis of a disease might serve as a promising point in time to change health behavior. This study investigates whether a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension is associated with changes in PA. Methods: Analyses are based on 4261 participants of the population-based KORA S4 study (1999–2001) and its subsequent 7-and 14-year follow-ups. Information on PA and incident diagnoses of diabetes or hypertension was assessed via standardized interviews. Change in PA was regressed upon diagnosis with diabetes or hypertension, using logistic regression models. Models were stratified into active and inactive individuals at baseline to avoid ceiling and floor effects or regression to the mean. Results: Active participants at baseline showed higher odds (OR = 2.16 [1.20;3.89]) for becoming inactive after a diabetes diagnosis than those without a diabetes diagnosis. No other significant association was observed. Discussion: As PA is important for the management of diabetes or hypertension, ways to increase or maintain PA levels in newly-diagnosed patients are important. Communication strategies might be crucial, and practitioners and health insurance companies could play a key role in raising awareness.

Factors Associated With Changes in Objectively Measured Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity in Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…Several reports have shown that individuals with diabetes engage in less PA than those without. 30,31 In patients with diabetes, emotional factors like willpower and confidence in exercise ability have been reported as major barriers to increasing PA. 32,33 Similar factors may have been involved for patients with diabetes in our study. The association between hemoglobin levels and increased MVPA is likely mediated by exercise capacity.…”

Effects of hypertension diagnoses on alcohol consumption among Chinese Adults—A Two-dimensional regression discontinuity analysis

“…Previous studies have examined the impact of hypertension diagnoses on individuals’ smoking behaviors, dietary patterns, and physical activities (Zhao, Konishi and Glewwe, 2013; Slade and Kim, 2014; Rabel et al, 2019; Zeng and Shimokawa, 2020; Dai et al, 2022). Although conducted in different countries, these studies consistently found that individuals reduced their cigarette consumption after a hypertension diagnosis (Zeng and Shimokawa, 2020; Dai et al, 2022).…”

“…First, to the best of our knowledge, our study is among the very few that identify the causal effects of hypertension diagnosis on alcohol-drinking behaviors, likely the first in China. The existing literature primarily concerns the impact of health information on individuals’ nutrient intake, smoking behavior, and physical activities (Zhao, Konishi and Glewwe, 2013; Slade and Kim, 2014; Rabel et al, 2019; Zeng and Shimokawa, 2020; Dai et al, 2022), paying little attention to its impact on alcohol consumption, a key component of China’s food culture that has potential health concerns. Our study fills this gap.…”

The impact of online health community engagement on lifestyle changes: A serially mediated model

“…Through interacting OHC members with similar experiences or the same medical condition, OHC users may gain emotional support that help them reduce the stress and/or refill psychological energy. For example, when users with weight control goals feel hungry, they may join OHCs to browse the diet diaries of users they follow to motivate themselves; they may even actively seek supervision or psychological support from other community friends with similar goals to counteract instinctive cravings for food and thus help themselves achieve health goals (60). Thus, we propose: Hypothesis 6: Emotional support from OHC engagement is positively associated with health self-efficacy, which in turn is positively associated with lifestyle changes.…”