Physical Activity Level and Factors Affecting Exercise Participation among Nigerian Adults with and Without Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Diabetes presents a multifaceted challenge to health systems in Nigeria and beyond. Physical activity is a cornerstone of diabetes management but is often underutilised. Despite the positive effects of physical activity on different dimensions of health to patients with diabetes, most fail to maintain long-term adherence to physical activity programmes. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the physical activity level and factors affecting exercise participation among patients with and without diabetes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 400 participants recruited by convenience sampling. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Exercise Benefit and Barrier Scale (EBBS) questionnaires were used to measure physical activity and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, respectively. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of percentages and frequency, mean and standard deviation, and independent t-test. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: The majority of the patients with diabetes (71%) had low physical activity levels while 52% of the nondiabetic group were moderately active. There was a significant difference between physical activity levels of patients with diabetes and the nondiabetic group (p<0.05). Physical exertion was reported by both patients with and without diabetes as the greatest barrier to exercise participation. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes in Nigeria have a low level of physical activity and are also faced with certain barriers which limit their participation in exercise programmes. Exercise barrier identification and public awareness on the health benefits of exercise and physical activity in the prevention and management of diabetes should thus be encouraged.

Multilevel Analysis of Urban–Rural Variations of Body Weights and Individual-Level Factors among Women of Childbearing Age in Nigeria and South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…However, a higher prevalence of underweight (9.0%) and normal weight (59.4%) was found among women in Nigeria compared to women who are underweight (1.8%) or have a normal weight (25.1%). This finding supports earlier research which showed the coexistence of both undernutrition and overnutrition in the same population, which over time has resulted in significant morbidity and mortality [ 46 , 47 ].…”

“…On the other hand, a prevalence of overweight (20.2%) and obesity (11.4%) was obtained among women of childbearing age in Nigeria. This finding is not inconsistent with previous community surveys conducted in Nigeria, as well as a systematic review of Nigerian studies on overweight and obesity, where an increasing prevalence trend of overweight (25.5–45.3%) and obesity (19.8–40.2%) was obtained [ 45 , 46 , 47 ]. A higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was marked among women of reproductive age obtained from previous Nigerian studies piloted [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], which may be linked to cultural lifestyles, dietary choices, and sedentary lifestyles.…”

Influence of neighborhood environment and social support on physical activity among patients with diabetes mellitus

“…The findings of this study show that majority (56%) of the patients with DM assessed did not engage in health-enhancing PA and therefore were physically inactive indicating that the MET of their total PA was below minimum recommendation of 600 MET-min per week. This finding is similar to PA level obtained among diabetes patients in other climes including Nigeria [15,53], Batswana [54], Ghana [55], and Nepal [6]. However, higher level of PA participation was reported among patients with DM in the North Carolina, USA wherein 56% were said to have engaged in moderate or high PA weekly [56].…”

“…In Nigeria, recent report had indicated that patients with DM have low level of PA participation [15] indicating the need to further assess the factors influencing participation and engagement in PA among patients with DM in the Nigeria context.…”

Factors correlated to physical activity among diabetes type 2 patients

“…On the other hand, there are some factors that hinder physical activity, including family responsibilities, busy schedules and a lack of family support, duration of diabetes, obesity and heavy traffic environment, and physical exertion [7], [29], [30]. Meanwhile, there are discriminant factor that determine physical activity for diabetes type 2 patients which are culture and tradition, lack of skill and knowledge, fatigue, safety, lack of time, weather condition and lack of local facilities.…”