The impact of COVID-19 restrictions on accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sleep in individuals with type 2 diabetes

AimsRestrictions during the COVID‐19 crisis will have impacted on opportunities to be active. We aimed to (a) quantify the impact of COVID‐19 restrictions on accelerometer‐assessed physical activity and sleep in people with type 2 diabetes and (b) identify predictors of physical activity during COVID‐19 restrictions.MethodsParticipants were from the UK Chronotype of Patients with type 2 diabetes and Effect on Glycaemic Control (CODEC) observational study. Participants wore an accelerometer on their wrist for 8 days before and during COVID‐19 restrictions. Accelerometer outcomes included the following: overall physical activity, moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), time spent inactive, days/week with ≥30‐minute continuous MVPA and sleep. Predictors of change in physical activity taken pre‐COVID included the following: age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), socio‐economic status and medical history.ResultsIn all, 165 participants (age (mean±S.D = 64.2 ± 8.3 years, BMI=31.4 ± 5.4 kg/m2, 45% women) were included. During restrictions, overall physical activity was lower by 1.7 mg (~800 steps/day) and inactive time 21.9 minutes/day higher, but time in MVPA and sleep did not statistically significantly change. In contrast, the percentage of people with ≥1 day/week with ≥30‐minute continuous MVPA was higher (34% cf. 24%). Consistent predictors of lower physical activity and/or higher inactive time were higher BMI and/or being a woman. Being older and/or from ethnic minorities groups was associated with higher inactive time.ConclusionsOverall physical activity, but not MVPA, was lower in adults with type 2 diabetes during COVID‐19 restrictions. Women and individuals who were heavier, older, inactive and/or from ethnic minority groups were most at risk of lower physical activity during restrictions.</div

Age at Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and Depressive Symptoms, Diabetes-Specific Distress, and Self-Compassion

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between age at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms, diabetes-specific distress, and self-compassion among adults with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This analysis used data from the Chronotype of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Effect on Glycemic Control (CODEC) cross-sectional study. Information was collected on depressive symptoms, diabetes-specific distress, and self-compassion, measured using validated self-report questionnaires, in addition to sociodemographic and clinical data. Multivariable regression models, adjusted for diabetes duration, sex, ethnicity, deprivation status, prescription of antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), and BMI were used to investigate the association between age at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and each of the three psychological outcomes. RESULTS A total of 706 participants were included; 64 (9.1%) were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes at a younger age is associated with lower psychological well-being, suggesting the need for clinical vigilance and the availability of age-appropriate psychosocial support.</p