Evaluating physical activities in clinical diabetes: lifestyle scores hypothesis

Abstract

Background: The concept of lifestyle-based risk scores is known but not evaluated in most rural communities of low- to mid-income countries. This study investigated the correlation of lifestyle scores with health indices. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional investigation. A total of 203 participants (141 females and 62 males), 18–90 years, had anthropometric assessments and lifestyle scores determined from a 12-item framework. Data analysis included average age in different health conditions, lifestyle scores in age groups, and correlations with age. Results: Average age of healthy subpopulation was 39 years while diabetes, hypertension, and obesity subpopulations were 58, 64, and 56 years, respectively. The percentage of participants whose activities of daily living (ADL) were unaffected by ill-health decreased with age (P < 0.0001), and lifestyle scores also decreased with age (P < 0.01) and negatively correlated with physical activities. Conclusion: This report contributes to diabetes cardiovascular complications management. Sedentary ADL factors need integration in healthy lifestyle education especially among the elderly.