Physiological and Behavioral Factors Related to Physical Activity in Black Women With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose: To describe relationships among physical activity (PA), physiological factors, and psychological factors in Black women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A cross-sectional design was used (N = 109). Data were collected on PA (activity/inactivity, TV hours, bed confinement), physiology (blood pressure, lipids, hemoglobin A1c), psychology (anxiety, emotional distress, physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality), and health care provider (HCP) support. Results: Walking was the preferred PA; TV viewing averaged 3.7 hours/day, and 24% reported confinement to bed >1 week in the last year. Inactive women had greater physiological and psychological problems than active women. Women watching TV >2 hours/day had more physiological problems than women watching TV <2 hours/day. Women reporting >1 week of confinement to bed in the last year had more physiological and psychological problems than those confined to bed <1 week. Conclusions: PA interventions in Black women with T2DM should promote walking, address TV viewing time, incorporate HCP's role of PA counseling/support, and address several psychological factors.