Abstract
The prevalence of type II diabetes (T2D) has been increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries. Previous research in this population found very high physical activity participation. PURPOSE: Explore predictive behavioral variables of fasting blood glucose (FBG) in people with T2D in the Dominican Republic. METHODS: Sixty-five (48 women and 17 men) people with T2D enrolled. FBG was measured using a capillary blood glucose monitor. Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale-10, Global Diet Quality Questionnaire, and Health Related Quality of Life-14 (HRQoL) were administered by a Dominican physician. Bivariate correlations between variables were evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the behavioral predictors of FBG. RESULTS: Participant age was 58 ±12 years, body mass index (BMI) was 28.0 ± 4.5 kg•m-2, and time with T2D diagnosis was 9 ± 7 years. Only 23% were in the target range (80-130 mg/dL) for controlled diabetes. Participants reported 2594 ± 1198 MET•min•week-1 of PA. All but one participant was classified as a poor sleeper. Only 8% followed a Healthy Diet Pattern for prevention of chronic disease, and 32% consumed no fruits or vegetables. Ten participants were classified as having high perceived stress and 53 as moderate stress. HRQoL indicated that 44% were had significantly impaired. The overall regression model was significant (F = 2.79, p = 0.025). Among the predictors, only YPAS was a significant predictor of fasting blood glucose (ß=1.2, p = 0.002). The correlation between PA and FBG was positive (r=0.40, p=0.001). Sleep Quality (p = 0.76), Diet Quality (p = 0.52), Perceived Stress (p = 0.16), and HRQoL (p = 0.47) were not significant predictors. When controlling for age, gender, BMI, and years with T2D, YPAS remained a significant predictor of FBG (ß=0.89, p=0.015). HRQoL was significantly correlated with YPAS (r=0.30, p=0.015) and Sleep Quality (r=-0.37, p=0.003). Diet quality and perceived stress were not correlated with any behavioral variables. CONCLUSION: Despite very high physical activity, most participants had poor glycemic control, sleep quality, and diet. These findings highlight the need for multifaceted interventions addressing multiple lifestyle factors to improve diabetes outcomes in LMIC.
Recommended Citation
Phillips, Shane; JOSHI, DEVJJA; BENAVIDES, MATTHEW; BEDARKAR, ARPITA; Rothstein, Alex; and Rossi, Amerigo
(2025)
"Behavioral Predictors of Glycemic Control in People with Type II Diabetes in the Dominican Republic,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
7, Article 11.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss7/11