Perceived sufficiency of physical activity levels among adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes: the FIN-D2D study

BACKGROUND

Any increase from a low level of physical activity reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, lack of awareness of one's physical activity level insufficiency may act as an obstacle to increased physical activity.

PURPOSE

This study assessed the determinants of perceived physical activity levels (PALs) among adults at high risk of diabetes and the associations with self-reported physical activity.

METHODS

In total, 10,149 adults participated in the FIN-D2D lifestyle intervention at baseline. Opportunistic screening was used in identifying high-risk individuals. Physical activity and perceived PAL sufficiency were assessed and compared. Key risk factors for diabetes and psychosocial and demographic characteristics were analyzed as determinants using logistic regression.

RESULTS

PAL sufficiency was rated realistically by 73 % of men and 75 % of women. Perception of sufficient PAL was more likely among individuals with a smaller waist circumference, a higher level of perceived fitness, and no exercise intention. In men, a higher age, and in women, a lower education, and a lower occupational status, also increased the likelihood of perceiving PAL as sufficient. Out of all the participants, 65 % of men and 66 % of women were inactive. Among the inactive participants, 20 (men) and 16 % (women) overestimated their PAL sufficiency. In both genders, such overestimation was predicted by dyslipidemia, a lower waist circumference, a higher level of perceived fitness, and no exercise intention; also (among men) by a higher age and a family history of diabetes, and (among women) by a lower occupational status, and a lower BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

In diabetes prevention, it is important to recognize the groups that perceive their PAL as sufficient since they may not see increased PAL as a tool for decreasing their risk of diabetes.

'I saw what the future direction would be...': experiences of diabetes risk and physical activity after diabetes screening

OBJECTIVES

To improve understanding of how individuals at high risk of type 2 diabetes experience the risk of diabetes and how these experiences relate to the adoption of physical activity as a protective behaviour.

DESIGN

A qualitative study using semi-structured interview with individuals identified by screening as at high risk of type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Fourteen individuals, aged 40-64, were interviewed twice, with a 2-year interval between. Participants' experiences of their risk of diabetes and physical activity were assessed. The transcribed interview data were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Two themes emerged from the data: a threatening risk perception and a rejected risk perception. The threatening risk perception occurred when the risk was unexpected by the participant, but became internalized through the screening procedure. The threatening perception also involved a commitment to increase physical activity to prevent diabetes. However, short-term anxiety and subsequently emerging hopelessness were also part of this perception. The rejected risk perception involved indifference and scepticism regarding the risk. Here, physical activity behaviour and cognitions appeared to remain unchanged. Rejection also involved difficulties in accepting one's high-risk identity. The rejecting group lacked motivation for increased physical activity, while the other group showed determination regarding increased physical activity, often leading to success.

CONCLUSION

Perceptions of the risk of diabetes emerged as threatening or as rejected. Participants' perceptions reflected varying and intertwining emotional, cognitive, and behavioural mechanisms for coping with the risk, all of which should be recognized in promoting physical activity among high-risk individuals. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Diabetes screening has few adverse psychological effects on screened individuals. Diabetes can be prevented by increased physical activity and modest weight loss among high-risk individuals. The evidence on the effects of screening on protective behaviour is limited and inconsistent. What does this study add? High-risk individuals' threatening perception of risk appears encouraging increased physical activity. Individuals having problems in adjusting to high-risk identification may not be motivated to engage in physical activity for prevention. Failure to achieve the outcomes expected from lifestyle changes may lead people with threatening risk perception to a sense of hopelessness.

Perceived need to increase physical activity levels among adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis within a community-based diabetes prevention project FIN-D2D

BACKGROUND

Increased physical activity is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes prevention. The perception of a need to change is considered essential in behaviour change processes. However, the existing literature on individuals' perceived need to change health behaviour is limited. In order to improve understanding of diabetes prevention through increased physical activity levels (PAL), we assessed factors associated with perceiving a need to increase PAL among adults at high risk of diabetes.

METHODS

Opportunistic screening was used within a primary-care based lifestyle intervention covering 10 149 men and women at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Data were obtained at baseline visits. The explored determinants were demographic, anthropometric/clinical, behavioural and psychosocial characteristics, along with four categories of PAL awareness. Logistic regression was used in the analysis.

RESULTS

74% of men (n = 2 577) and 76% of women (n = 4 551) perceived a need to increase their PAL. The participants most likely to perceive this need were inactive, had a larger waist circumference, rated their PAL as insufficient, and were at the contemplation stage of change. Smoking, elevated blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, and a family history of diabetes were not associated with this perception. The likelihood was also greater among women with less perceived fitness and less education. Demographic factors other than education did not determine participants' perceived need to increase PAL. PAL overestimators were less likely to perceive the need to increase their PAL than realistic inactive participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjective rather than objective health factors appear to determine the perception of a need to increase PAL among adults at high risk of diabetes. Client perceptions need to be evaluated in health counselling in order to facilitate a change in PAL. Practical descriptions of the associations between metabolic risk factors, PAL, and diabetes are needed in order to make the risk factors concrete for at-risk individuals.

The reporting of previous lifestyle counseling by persons at high risk of Type 2 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To assess (i) whether the reporting of counseling previously received is associated with high-risk individuals' agreement to participate in lifestyle intervention, (ii) whether the reporting of previous counseling differed within such a high-risk group, and (iii) the associations between lifestyles and previous lifestyle counseling.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were drawn from 10149 adults at high risk of Type 2 diabetes, who were participating in a Finnish national diabetes prevention project (FIN-D2D). Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used.

RESULTS

In relation to the reporting of previous counseling, no difference was found between persons who had agreed and persons who had not agreed to participate in the lifestyle intervention. Persons who were more educated or who had dyslipidemia or diabetes were more likely than the others to report previous counseling. A generally healthy lifestyle, or certain health behaviors (being a non-smoker or eating large amounts of fruit and vegetables) may make the reporting of previous counseling more likely.

CONCLUSION

The results raise questions about the amount and quality of the previously received lifestyle counseling.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

There is a need for sustainable lifestyle counseling structures, within vigorously implemented diabetes prevention projects, if long-lasting lifestyle changes are to be achieved.

Transtheoretical model-based dietary interventions in primary care: a review of the evidence in diabetes

The objective of this study was to review the evidence concerning stage-based dietary interventions in primary care among persons with diabetes or an elevated diabetes risk. Search strategies were electronic databases and manual search. Selection criteria were randomized controlled studies with stage-based dietary intervention, conducted in primary care with at least 6 months of follow-up, and participants with either type 2 diabetes or with an elevated risk. The researchers evaluated trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed study quality. Seven articles, based on five data sets, were included. These studies concentrated on cardiovascular diseases and being overweight, not diabetes. The quality of the studies was moderate to weak. Inadequacies in the reporting often involved unspecific information on the training of health care providers. Long-term positive outcomes (compared with controls) were found in total and monounsaturated fat intake, diastolic blood pressure, health status and well-being. The existing data are insufficient for drawing conclusions on the benefits of the transtheoretical model. More high-quality studies focusing on diabetes are needed, with greater attention to the training of providers and process evaluation. There is a need for a standardized appraisal tool for study evaluation, focusing separately on education interventions for patients and providers.