Exploring gender differences in physical activity and related barriers in children and adults living with type 1 diabetes: A narrative review

Abstract

Aims

In the general population, individuals who self-identify as girls and women are typically less active and report more barriers to physical activity (PA), often influenced by gender stereotypes and sociocultural norms. These barriers may be accentuated in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), who face additional diabetes-related barriers to engaging in PA.

Methods

In this narrative review, electronic databases were searched using keywords related to PA barriers and T1D. Titles, abstracts and full texts were screened to select articles analysing gender effects or reporting specific data on girls/women with T1D versus peers without diabetes.

Results

While many studies have examined gender effects on PA levels in T1D (consistently reporting lower overall and vigorous-intensity PA in girls/women), few have explored gender effects on barriers to PA. Among the ten barrier-related studies, some (but not all) suggest that girls/women report higher overall PA barrier scores and diabetes-related concerns, such as fear of hypoglycaemia, hyperglycaemia or losing control over diabetes management, compared with boys/men. The interactions between PA barriers and PA levels appear complex and may vary between adults and children. However, these interactions remain understudied from a gender perspective.

Conclusions

Fear of glycaemic challenges related to PA appears to be a greater barrier for girls/women with T1D versus boys/men. However, further research is needed to examine universal barriers to PA. Interactions between diabetes-related or universal barriers with lower habitual PA also require exploration as a first step towards developing appropriate PA promotion initiatives, whether focused on glycaemic management education or social factors.