Dealing with diabetes-specific emotional distress: A cross-sectional survey of physical activity option.

Background: Diabetes-specific emotional distress is common among people with type 2 diabetes due to the complexities associated with care and maintenance of wellness among the patients. Unlike the focus on glycaemic control, literature appears unavailable about how physical activity may help in the control of diabetes-specific emotional distress. This study was conducted to investigate the link between diabetes- specific emotional distress and physical activity.

Methodology: Type 2 diabetes patients (n = 206) were enrolled into this study from two major health care facilities in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire while diabetes-specific emotional distress was assessed using the Problem Areas in Diabetes Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at ± 0.05.

Results: The participants' mean age was 58.6 12.7 years with 109 (52.9%) reporting low physical activity levels and 182 (88.3%) reporting varying degrees of diabetes- specific emotional distress. Compared to participants with low physical activity, those who reported moderate-to- vigorous physical activity reported a reduced risk of diabetes-specific emotional distress (OR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.26-0.82). Age, sex and level of education were not associated with the distress.

Conclusions: A substantial proportion of patients with type 2 diabetes reported low physical activity levels and much more reported diabetes-specific emotional distress. Those who reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity reported a significantly lower risk of diabetes-specific emotional distress. Reduction in. the risk of diabetes-specific emotional distress may be yet another strong point in advocacy for physical activity among patients with type 2 diabetes.