The Association of Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

• Author / Creator

  Thiel, Danielle M

• Physical activity is a key component of type 2 diabetes management, and is associated with numerous health benefits for individuals with type 2 diabetes. In the general adult population, physical activity participation is associated with better health-related quality of life. The primary objective of this project was to explore the relationship between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adults with type 2 diabetes. Two studies were conducted: the first study used a cross-sectional design to investigate this relationship in the Alberta’s Caring for Diabetes cohort, and the second study used a longitudinal design to assess the relationship between physical activity and change in HRQL. Previous cross-sectional studies have shown positive relationships between physical activity and HRQL, but very few longitudinal studies have been performed. In our cross-sectional study, we saw positive associations between meeting recommendations for physical activity and HRQL and also demonstrated a positive association between higher levels of weekly physical activity and scores on the physical components of HRQL. In our longitudinal study, we demonstrated a significant positive association between meeting physical activity recommendations and HRQL scores on the physical functioning, vitality and general health dimensions. We also showed that participation in physical activity is associated with maintenance of HRQL over one year. The results from this project provide strong support for the current recommendations for physical activity for type 2 diabetes patients in Canada, and indicate that individuals with type 2 diabetes may experience better HRQL by participating in regular leisure-time physical activity.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Physical Activity
  • Health-Related Quality of Life
  • Type 2 Diabetes

• Graduation date

  Fall 2016

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3W08WS8W

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.