Sedentary activity, sedentary bouts, and patterns of total daily sedentary activity, and their relationship with stress and well-being in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes: The Lolland-Falster Health Study

Abstract

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the cross-sectional associations of stress and well-being with the total amount of sedentary activity and sedentary bouts in adults with diabetes and prediabetes. A secondary aim was to explore the sedentary activity pattern during a day in adults with diabetes and prediabetes.

Methods

This cross-sectional study from the Danish Lolland-Falster Health Study categorized participants into diabetes (including both type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and prediabetes based on their HbA1c level and self-reported use of diabetes medication. Exposures were Perceived Stress Scale (scores ≥18 = moderate to high stress) and WHO-5 Well-Being Index (scores ≤50 = low well-being). Outcomes were total daily sedentary activity and sedentary bouts assessed with thigh-worn and back-worn accelerometers.

Results

Among the 562 included adult participants, 15 % had low well-being and 65 % had moderate to high stress. Higher well-being was associated with lower total sedentary activity in participants with diabetes (−1.1 min/day, 95 % CI -2.0; −0.2, for every 1-point increase in WHO-score) and participants with prediabetes (−0.6 min/day, 95 % CI -1.1; −0.05, for every 1-point increase in WHO-score). No association was found between stress and sedentary activity. During a day, participants with diabetes were more sedentary with a mean difference of −0.7 h/day (95 % CI -1.1; −0.4) when compared with participants with prediabetes.

Conclusions

This study found that higher well-being is associated with lower total daily sedentary activity in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes, while no association between stress and sedentary activity was found. These findings imply that individuals with diabetes and prediabetes and low well-being may need additional support to reduce time spent on daily sedentary activity.