Self-management behavior concerning physical activity of Japanese type 2 diabetes patients, characterized by sex, daily energy intake and body mass index

ObjectivesWe assess differences in physical activity self-management behavior in association with dietary intake and BMI between the sexes in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsPatients with type 2 diabetes (n=145) completed a self-administrated questionnaire. Patients were classified into four groups by BMI and dietary intake: non-obesity and non-overeating (NO/NOE); non-obesity and overeating (NO/OE); obesity and non-overeating (O/NOE); obesity and overeating (O/OE). Differences in physical activity self-management behavior between the four groups were determined by the analysis of variance using a Tukey-Kramer post hoc test.ResultsMale O/OE group showed higher HbA1c (p=0.001) than the other groups. Male NO/OE group had higher steps/day than O/NOE (p=0.036) and score of Exercising to stimulate the enjoyment of eating was higher than O/OE (p=0.031). Female NO/OE group showed higher HbA1c (p=0.001) than NO/NOE and O/NOE.ConclusionsBMI and dietary intake were associated with frequencies of physical activity self-management strategies in men. Self-management behavior peculiar to male NO/OE group is Exercising to stimulate the enjoyment of eating. Health professionals should assess sex, BMI, and dietary intake of patients and endeavor to improve individuals' ability to regulate their caloric balance based on physical activity level.