| Abstract: | Background: There is strong evidence for the beneficial effects of physical activity in diabetes. There has been little research demonstrating a dose-response relationship between physical activity and self-rated health in diabetics. The aim of this study was to explore the dose-response association between leisure time physical activity and self-rated health among diabetics in Taiwan. Methods: Data came from the 2001 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Inclusion criteria were a physician confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and age 18 years and above (n = 797). Self-rated health was assessed by the question "In general, would you say that your health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?" Individuals with a self perceived health status of good, very good, or excellent were considered to have positive health status. Results: In the full model, the odds ratio (OR) for positive health was 2.51(95% CI=1.53-4.13), 1.62(95% CI=0.93-2.84), and 1.35(95% CI=0.77-2.37), for those with a total weekly energy expenditure of more than 1000 kcal, between 500 and 999 kcal, and between 1 and 499 kcal, respectively, compared to inactive individuals. Those with duration over 10 years (OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.30-0.94), heart disease (OR=0.50, 95%CI=0.30-0.85), and dyslipidemia (OR=0.65, 95% CI=0.43-0.98) were less likely to have positive health than their counterparts. After stratified participants by duration, those with a duration of diabetes less than 6 years, the adjusted OR for positive health was 1.95(95% CI1.02-3.72), 1.22(95% CI=0.59-2.52), and 1.19(95% CI=0.58-2.41) for those with a total weekly energy expenditure of more than 1000 kcal, between 500 and 999 kcal, and between 1 and 499 kcal, respectively, compared to inactive individuals. In participants with a duration of diabetes longer than 6 years, total energy expenditure showed a gradient effect on self-perceived positive health. The adjusted OR for positive health was 3.45(95% CI=1.53-7.79), 2.77(95% CI=1.11-6.92), and 1.90(95% CI=0.73-4.94) for those with a total weekly energy expenditure of greater or equal to 1000 kcal, between 500 and 999 kcal, and between 1 and 499 kcal, respectively, compared to inactive individuals. Conclusions: Our results highlight that regular leisure activity with an energy expenditure over 500 kcal per week is associated with better self-rated health for those with longstanding diabetes. |
