Promoting and maintaining physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes

The primary aim of the main study was to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise consultation for promoting and maintaining physical activity over 12 months in people with Type 2 diabetes. Secondary aims were to investigate changes from baseline to 6 and 12 months in a number of physiological, biochemical and quality of life variables. 70 inactive people with Type 2 diabetes (35M 35F, mean age 57.6±7.9yrs, BMI 34.6±6.8) were given standard exercise information and randomised to receive an exercise consultation intervention (experimental group n=35) or not (control group n=35). Exercise consultation, based on the transtheoretical model, combines motivational theory and cognitive behavioural strategies into an individualised intervention to promote and maintain physical activity. Exercise consultations were delivered at baseline and 6 months and support phone calls were given 1 and 3 months after each exercise consultation. Changes from baseline to 6 and 12 months were assessed in a) physical activity (7-day recall, accelerometer, stage and processes of exercise behaviour change and cardiorespiratory fitness), b) physiological (body mass index and blood pressure), c) biochemical (glycaemic control, lipid profile, fibrinogen and microalbuminuria) and d) quality of life (Short form-36 and Well-being questionnaire). Results recorded illustrated between group differences in minutes of moderate activity and total accelerometer counts per week at 6 and 12 months (p0.05). From baseline to 12 months a significant increase was recorded in the experimental group for minutes of moderate activity (p<0.01), but not total accelerometer counts per week (p=0.7). The control group recorded a decrease in accelerometer counts per week from baseline to 12 months (p=0.03)

Exploring children’s perceptions of their local environment in relation to time spent outside

This study aims to understand how children perceive their environment, exploring the affordances children perceive to influence their physical activity (PA) behaviour when outside. Participants included boys and girls aged 10–12 years (n = 15) living in Scotland. Children's visual and verbal representations of their perceived environment were analysed to assess environmental determinants of PA. The findings suggested that physical affordances that offer a sense of risk were important to children's play spaces. Social affordances influenced where the children went in their environment and the features they utilised as part of play behaviour; strangers were considered threatening depending on whether the activity was recognised

Sociology, Science and Sustainability: Developing Relationships in Scotland

This paper considers the application of the sociological imagination during the analysis of data collected during an ethnographic study of an environmental regulator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). SEPA is tasked with implementing the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Scotland, which will radically alter the regulation of water use. Applying a sociological imagination allowed the researcher to advocate for a more interdisciplinary and equitable understanding of sustainable water use when feeding back initial research results at the end of the data collection period. The researchers introduced socialised definitions of the environment, which linked social justice and ecological concerns. These insights provided a challenge to the traditional bio-physical science focus of the organisational participants, for whom sustainability is a relatively new addition to their duties. The paper concludes by discussing the importance of developing these interdisciplinary relationships in the future.Sociological Imagination, Water Framework Directive, Sustainability Science, Consumer-Citizens

Are glucose profiles well-controlled within the targets recommended by the International Diabetes Federation in type 2 diabetes? A meta-analysis of results from continuous glucose monitoring based studies

AIMS: To assess continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) derived intra-day glucose profiles using global guideline for type 2 diabetes recommended by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). METHODS: The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL and Science Direct were searched to identify observational studies reporting intra-day glucose profiles using CGM in people with type 2 diabetes on any anti-diabetes agents. Overall and subgroup analyses were conducted to summarise mean differences between reported glucose profiles (fasting glucose, pre-meal glucose, postprandial glucose and post-meal glucose spike/excursion) and the IDF targets. RESULTS: Twelve observational studies totalling 731 people were included. Pooled fasting glucose (0.81 mmol/L, 95% CI, 0.53-1.09 mmol/L), postprandial glucose after breakfast (1.63 mmol/L, 95% CI, 0.79-2.48 mmol/L) and post-breakfast glucose spike (1.05 mmol/L, 95% CI, 0.13-1.96 mmol/L) were significantly higher than the IDF targets. Pre-lunch glucose, pre-dinner glucose and postprandial glucose after lunch and dinner were above the IDF targets but not significantly. Subgroup analysis showed significantly higher fasting glucose and postprandial glucose after breakfast in all groups: HbA1c <7% and ≥7% (53 mmol/mol) and duration of diabetes <10 years and ≥10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Independent of HbA1c, fasting glucose and postprandial glucose after breakfast are not well-controlled in type 2 diabetes

Physical Activity Behaviour of Paediatric Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a common chronic condition in children and young people and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. Paediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes can have poorer health and overall quality of life than their non-diabetic peers and some studies suggest that they may be less active than their non-diabetic peers. Regular physical activity has many potential health benefits for any young person but can also benefit areas of health specifically important for those with Type 1 diabetes. In addition being regularly active can reduce the risk of developing diabetic complications. Promoting physical activity participation in this population is important due to the potential health benefits that can be gained. Limited research has investigated the effectiveness of physical activity intervention in this group. It is therefore necessary for physical activity interventions targeting this group to be developed

Effectiveness of Foliar Fungicides by Timing on Hybrid Corn

Fungicide use on hybrid corn has increased considerably in the past several growing seasons, primarily due to reports of increased yields, even in the absence of disease and higher corn prices. A number of fungicides are registered for use on corn. The objectives of this project were to 1) assess the effect of timing of application of fungicides on standability, 2) evaluate the yield response of hybrid corn to foliar fungicide application, and 3) to discern differences, if any, between fungicide products

Dose-response between frequency of breaks in sedentary time and glucose control in type 2 diabetes: a proof of concept study

Objectives This study aimed to investigate dose-response between frequency of breaks in sedentary time and glucose control.DesignRandomised three-treatment, two-period balanced incomplete block trial.MethodsTwelve adults with type 2 diabetes (age, 60 ± 11 years; body mass index, 30.2 ± 4.7 kg/m2) participated in two of the following treatment conditions: sitting for 7 h interrupted by 3 min light-intensity walking breaks every (1) 60 min (Condition 1), (2) 30 min (Condition 2), and (3) 15 min (Condition 3). Postprandial glucose incremental area under the curves (iAUCs) and 21-h glucose total area under the curve (AUC) were measured using continuous glucose monitoring. Standardised meals were provided. Results Compared with Condition 1 (6.7 ± 0.8 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1), post-breakfast glucose iAUC was reduced for Condition 3 (3.5 ± 0.9 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.04). Post-lunch glucose iAUC was lower in Condition 3 (1.3 ± 0.9 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.03) and Condition 2 (2.1 ± 0.7 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.05) relative to Condition 1 (4.6 ± 0.8 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1). Condition 3 (1.0 ± 0.7 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p = 0.02) and Condition 2 (1.6 ± 0.6 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1, p ˂ 0.04) attenuated post-dinner glucose iAUC compared with Condition 1 (4.0 ± 0.7 mmol L−1 × 3.5 h−1). Cumulative 10.5-h postprandial glucose iAUC was lower in Condition 3 than Condition 1 (p = 0.02). Condition 3 reduced 21-h glucose AUC compared with Condition 1 (p < 0.001) and Condition 2 (p = 0.002). However, post-breakfast glucose iAUC, cumulative 10.5-h postprandial glucose iAUC and 21-h glucose AUC were not different between Condition 2 and Condition 1 (p ˃ 0.05).Conclusions There could be dose-response between frequency of breaks in sedentary time and glucose. Interrupting sedentary time every 15 min could produce better glucose control

A Website to Promote Physical Activity in People With Type 2 Diabetes Living in Remote or Rural Locations: Feasibility Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Research supports the use of Web-based interventions to promote physical activity in diabetes management. However, previous interventions have found poor levels of engagement or have not included health professionals and people with diabetes in the design of the tool.  Objective: To develop and explore the feasibility and indicative effect of a Web-based physical activity promotion intervention in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes living in remote or rural locations.  Methods: A qualitative approach using focus groups that included patients with diabetes and health professionals were run to identify key concepts, ideas, and features, which resulted in the design of a physical activity website. This site was tested using a quantitative approach with a qualitative 6-month pilot study that adopted a three-armed approach. Participants were randomized into three groups: a control group who received written diabetes-specific physical activity advice; an information Web group, a Web-based group who received the information online; and an intervention Web group, an interactive Web-based group who received online information plus interactive features, such as an activity log, personalized advice, and goal setting.  Results: A website was designed based on patient and health professional ideas for effective physical activity promotion. This website was tested with 31 participants, 61% (19/31) male, who were randomized into the groups. Website log-ins decreased over time: 4.5 times in month 1, falling to 3 times in month 6. Both the information Web group—mean 134.6 (SD 123.9) to mean 154.9 (SD 144.2) min—and the control group—mean 118.9 (SD 103.8) to mean 126.1 (SD 93.4) min,d=0.07—increased time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but this decreased in the intervention Web group—mean 131.9 (SD 126.2) to mean 116.8 (SD 107.4) min.  Conclusions: Access to online diabetes-specific physical information was effective in promoting physical activity in people with type 2 diabetes; access to interactive features was not associated with increases in activity.  Trial Registration: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 96266587; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN96266587 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6tzX6YesZ

Northern Riffleshell and Clubshell 2015 Monitoring Results

In 2015, staff from the Illinois Natural History Survey continued to monitor translocated populations of two federally-endangered freshwater mussel species in the Vermilion River basin (Wabash River drainage). Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 2,099 Northern Riffleshell (Epioblasma rangiana) and 1,766 Clubshell (Pleurobema clava) have been translocated to eight sites in the Vermilion River basin, Champaign and Vermilion counties, Illinois. These translocated animals have been monitored seasonally since being moved to Illinois. For the 2015 calendar year, 36% (716) of the 1,991 available Northern Riffleshell were encountered, and of those physically examined, 61% (54 of 88) were alive. Conversely, 77% (1,359) of the 1,758 available Clubshell were encountered, and of those examined, 82% (106 of 129) were alive. The encounter and survival rates from the raw data collected in 2015 were comparable to previous years in Illinois. Throughout the duration of the project, both Northern Riffleshell and Clubshell have had higher encounter rates in the spring and autumn than summer. This relocation project is being funded, in part, by a natural resource damage assessment settlement (Hegeler Zinc—Lyondell Basell Companies) to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and to the State of Illinois, and by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ohio River Basin Fish Habitat Partnership.IDNR Division of Natural HeritageU.S. Fish & Wildlife Serviceunpublishednot peer reviewe

Development and feasibility testing of an intervention to support active lifestyles in youths with Type 1 diabetes - the ActivPals programme : a study protocol

Background/objective: The global incidence of Type 1 diabetes is rising and youths with Type 1 diabetes continue to suffer poorer health than peers without diabetes. Evidence suggests youths with Type 1 diabetes have Physical Activity (PA) levels well below the recommendations for health and have high levels of sedentary behavior. An active lifestyle is therefore recommended to improve health. There is limited research showing effective lifestyle behavior change in this population, therefore an evidence gap exists between the need to promote physical activity in Type 1 diabetes care and lack of understanding on how to do this. This protocol paper describes a feasibility and pilot study of the ActivPals programme – an intervention to support active lifestyles in youths with Type 1 diabetes. Methods and design: Key intervention components have been identified from preliminary work (individual and family focus, peer mentoring, technology integration and improved communication and understanding) and are being developed into a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) supported by recruitment pathways. A steering group of health care professionals and managers will refine the intervention to patient needs. A pilot trial is providing data on intervention implementation, acceptability and feasibility. 20 youths with Type 1 diabetes are being recruited and randomised into an intervention or control group. Physical activity is being measured objectively using the Actigraph GT3X+ monitor at baseline and one month follow-up. Contextual factors associated with intervention delivery are being explored. Conclusions: This study will contribute to the development of evidence based, user informed and pragmatic interventions leading to healthier lifestyles in youths with Type 1 diabetes