COMPARISON OF MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT TYPE 2 DIABETES ON DEMOGRAPHIC, CLINICAL, AND SOCIAL-COGNITIVE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH MODERATE- TO VIGOROUS-INTENSITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

Aims: The purpose of this cross-sectional, exploratory study was to compare demographic, clinical, and social cognitive factors associated with minutes per day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) in middle-aged women with and without Type 2 diabetes. Methods: The theoretical framework was based on both the Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior used to depict the demographic, clinical, and social-cognitive factors shown to be associated with physical activity. Forty-two middle-aged women with Type 2 diabetes and 67 without diabetes met inclusion criteria at four urban primary care clinics.. Enrolled women received an accelerometer to wear for seven consecutive days and completed a survey including questions exploring various demographic, clinical, and social-cognitive factors. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). After the one week of wear-time, women returned the accelerometer and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short-form. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and chi-squared tests. Results: Ninety-three (86.1%) of the women were overweight or obese. A higher proportion of non-Whites was noted for women with Type 2 diabetes, compared to women without diabetes. The mean values for women with Type 2 diabetes were higher for BMI and comorbidity index, lower for perceived benefits and self-efficacy related to physical activity, and fewer for minutes per day of vigorous-intensity physical activity. Conclusions: Tailored nursing interventions are needed to enhance perceived benefits and self-efficacy of physical activity, especially in middle-aged women with Type 2 diabetes, as a means for increasing MVPA