Physical Activity Following Diabetes Diagnosis in Women: 21Years of Data from a Population-Based Cohort

Background: Physical activity (PA) is an effective management strategy for type 2 diabetes (T2D) as it provides benefits for glycaemic control and weight management. However, it is unclear whether PA increases following T2D diagnosis.

Purpose: To identify changes in PA levels following T2D diagnosis in mid-age Australian women.

Methods: Data were from the 1946-51 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (n=10,410). Surveys were mailed at three-year intervals from 1998 (age 47-52) to 2019 (age 68-73) to collect self-report data on PA and T2D diagnosis. PA change scores were calculated for each of the seven survey intervals. T2D diagnostic status at each survey was defined as not diagnosed, diagnosed (since the previous survey), or previously diagnosed (in any prior survey). Mixed modelling regression analysis was used to compare the average change in PA in the three groups.

Results: Between 1998 and 2019, 14% of respondents (n=1,510) were diagnosed with T2D. Baseline PA level (median[IQR]) for the entire cohort was 599.4[199.8, 1282.1]MET.min/week. Over 21years, the mean(95% CI) change in PA across survey intervals was 5.5(-7.9,18.8)MET.min/week. Compared with those who were not diagnosed, the change in PA was 68.3(-16.9,153.5)MET.min/week (p=0.116) in those diagnosed with T2D since the previous survey, and -40.3(-110.6,30.0)MET.min/week (p=0.261) in those who were previously diagnosed.

Conclusion: Around the time of their T2D diagnosis, Australian women tended to increase their PA levels. However, this increase was not maintained in the survey intervals following diagnosis.

Practical Implications: Given long-term PA is important for T2D management, these findings should be considered when designing ongoing PA support for Australian women with T2D.

Funding: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. MJD is supported in part by The Commonwealth of Australia 2022 Effective Treatments and Therapies Grant (MRF2023434).