The findings were published in the journal Diabetes Care.
Wen Dai, Ph.D., the study’s first author and a former doctoral student in Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School, mentioned the importance of addressing the high mortality risk in people with diabetes due to the widespread diabetes epidemic and the common tendency among these individuals to sit more and move less.
Excessive sitting is a major public health issue, leading to a higher risk of death for everyone, not just those with diabetes.
Researchers used data for people aged 20 or older with diabetes, as defined by the American Diabetes Association from the 2007-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). These individuals were tracked until 2019 to find out their mortality status. Participants reported their sitting time and levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Information on their demographics, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions was gathered through personal interviews.
Physical activity levels were classified into three categories per week: inactive (less than 10 minutes), insufficiently active (10 to 149 minutes), and active (150 minutes or more). Around 38% of those surveyed indicated they engaged in moderate to vigorous activity for under 10 minutes each week. Of those who responded, 50% had experienced diabetes for at most five years while 34% had diabetes for more than ten years. Those who were inactive or engaged in physical activity for less than 10 minutes per week had a higher risk of dying from any cause.
During an average follow-up of the participants whose average age was 60 years for a period of six years, there were 1,278 deaths from all causes and 354 deaths from heart disease. The breakup of the participants was 48% female and 61% non-Hispanic white. About 25% were educated at a lower level than high school, and around 12% did not have health insurance.
Sandra Albrecht, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and the study’s senior author, emphasized the importance of encouraging and helping patients adhere to physical activity guidelines. She noted that this is especially important for individuals who must sit for long periods due to their jobs, such as drivers or office workers.
In summary, this study highlights that for adults with diabetes, engaging in sufficient physical activity can mitigate the increased risk of mortality associated with excessive sitting. It underscores the need for healthcare providers to promote and support physical activity among people with diabetes, considering the significant health benefits it can provide.