Effect of physical activity strength on the diabetes mellitus prevalence in the elderly under the influence of International Physical Activity Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) physical activity intensity on to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Chinese elderly. METHODS: A total number of 1996 residents aged 50 or above living in Guangzhou city were recruited from the phase 3 of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Information on physical activity and fasting plasma glucose status was derived from standardized interviews and laboratory assays. RESULTS: Among the participants who were classified as physically active (60.0%), moderate active (29.8%) and inactive (10.2%), the prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus were 9.1%, 12.0% and 14.2%, respectively. After adjustment on age, sex, obesity and other potential confounding factors, data from logistic regression model showed that the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for diabetes on subjects in physically moderate active and active group were 0.75(0.46-1.26)and 0.60(0.38-0.97) respectively with P for trend as 0.03, when comparing to those physically inactive ones. CONCLUSION: Promotion of physical activity might have had some effects in reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus among the older adults.