Accelerometer-derived physical activity and sedentary behaviors in individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study from the Danish nationwide DD2 cohort

Sidsel L Domazet; Jakob Tarp; Reimar W Thomsen; Kurt Højlund; Jacob V Stidsen; Jan C Brønd; Anders Grøntved; Jens Steen Nielsen

doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.1089579

Accelerometer-derived physical activity and sedentary behaviors in individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study from the Danish nationwide DD2 cohort

Front Sports Act Living. 2023 Jan 25:4:1089579. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1089579. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Sidsel L Domazet^{1

2

3}, Jakob Tarp³, Reimar W Thomsen³, Kurt Højlund^{1

2}, Jacob V Stidsen¹, Jan C Brønd⁴, Anders Grøntved⁴, Jens Steen Nielsen^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Steno Diabetes Center Odense, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
² Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
³ Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
⁴ Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.

Abstract

Introduction: Habitual physical activity behaviors of individuals with new-onset type 2 diabetes are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate accelerometer-derived physical activity behaviors in individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. We also examined sociodemographic and health-related correlates of a high-risk physical activity profile.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from 768 participants enrolled in an intervention study nested within the Danish Centre for Strategic Research in Type 2 diabetes (DD2) cohort. Physical activity was assessed by 24-h dual monitor accelerometry. Prevalence ratios of having a high-risk physical activity profile were estimated using Poisson regression adjusted for age and sex.

Results: Study participants spent on average 9.7 (25th and 75th percentiles, 8.3; 11.1) hours/day sitting, walked for 1.1 (0.8; 1.6) hours/day and accumulated 4,000 (2,521; 5,864) steps/day. Still, 62% met the recommendations for physical activity. Characteristics associated with a high-risk physical activity profile (observed in 24.5% of participants) included older age, higher body mass index (BMI), unemployment, retirement, comorbidities, and current smoking. Hence, participants aged 60-69, 70-79 and 80+ years had prevalence ratios of 2.12 (95% CI 1.31; 3.42), 1.99 (1.18; 3.34) and 3.09 (1.42; 6.75) for a high-risk activity profile, respectively, versus participants <50 years. BMI values of 30-39 and 40+ were associated with 1.83 (1.06; 3.15) and 3.38 (1.88; 6.05) higher prevalence ratios compared to normal-weight. Unemployment or retirement was associated with 1.62 (1.09; 2.41) and 2.15 (1.37; 3.39) times higher prevalence ratios, compared to individuals in the working force. Having a Charlson Comorbidity Index score of 1-2 or 3+ was associated with 1.36 (1.03-1.79) and 1.90 (1.27-1.84) higher prevalence ratios, while current smoking was associated with a prevalence ratio of 1.72 (1.25; 2.35) compared to never smokers.

Conclusion: This study shows that 62% of individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes met the recommendations for physical activity. Still, the majority of participants were also highly sedentary and accumulated very few daily steps, emphasizing the need for focusing on both increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors in the prevention of diabetes-related complications. Individuals with a high-risk physical activity profile were characterized by more obesity, socioeconomic inequalities, advanced age and comorbidities.Trial registration number: NCT02015130.

Keywords: adults (MeSH); lifestyle and behaviour; physical activity; sedentary activities; type 2 diabetes.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02015130

Grants and funding

The study was supported by the Danish Agency for Science (grant nos. 09-067009 and 09-075724), the Region of Southern Denmark, the Region of Zealand, the Augustinus Foundation, the Herta Christensen Foundation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the University of Southern Denmark. The Biobank was supported by an unrestricted donation from Novo Nordisk Foundation. Project partners are listed on the project website (https://DD2.nu). None of the study funders were involved in the design of the study; the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing the manuscript; or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.