Physical Activity Level and Its Barriers among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Qassim Province, Saudi Arabia

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the most common chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide with rapidly growing prevalence. World health organization announced that physical inactivity is one of the top 10 global principle causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. On the other hand, physical activity is well known to be cornerstone domain for managing diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To estimate the physical activity level among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Qassim province and to explore its common barriers.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among type 2 diabetic patients who attended chronic diseases clinics of 10 primary health care centers in Buraidah city during 2021. We used two validated self-administrated questionnaires which were the global physical activity questionnaire (WHO) and barriers to being active quiz (CDC).

Results: We surveyed 357 type 2 diabetic patients. While majority of patients (90%) recognized the importance of physical activity for body health, only 29% of the participants met WHO recommendations for physical activity. Males and females had slight difference in their activity level, 72% and 69% respectively. Top reported barriers of physical activity were lack of willpower, lack of resources and lack of energy. The most common reported domain of physical activity was recreational activity.

Conclusion: Type 2 diabetic patients in Qassim province have low physical activity level. We recommend more focus on physical activity by all diabetic care professionals. Further in-depth studies to further evaluate prevalence and other relevant factors are suggested.