Association Between Physical Activity Levels and the Prevalence of Self-Reported Diabetes Among Adults in the United States: A Secondary Analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006.

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity (PA) is an important modifiable lifestyle factor associated with metabolic health and diabetes. This study examined the association between different levels of self-reported PA and prevalent self-reported diabetes among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006 sample.

METHODS

This cross-sectional secondary analysis included 8,174 adults aged 18 years or older from NHANES 2005-2006. PA was categorized as low (<150 minutes/week), moderate (150-300 minutes/week), or high (>300 minutes/week). Diabetes status was based on self-reported physician diagnosis. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between PA level and prevalent self-reported diabetes with sequential adjustment for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

Overall, 650 participants (8.0%) had self-reported diabetes. Diabetes prevalence was 11.8% in the low PA group, 5.9% in the moderate group, and 5.7% in the high group. In the unadjusted model, moderate PA was associated with lower odds of diabetes (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.36-0.61), as was high PA (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.38-0.54). After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and BMI, the associations were attenuated but remained statistically significant for moderate activity (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.99) and high activity (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.66-0.99).

CONCLUSION

Moderate and high levels of self-reported PA were associated with lower odds of prevalent self-reported diabetes compared with low PA in the analyzed NHANES sample. Because of the cross-sectional design, temporality and causality cannot be established. Prospective studies using appropriate complex-survey methods are needed to further evaluate this association.