Change in Physical Activity after Diagnosis of Diabetes or Hypertension: Results from an Observational Population-Based Cohort Study

Matthias Rabel, Filip Mess, Florian M. Karl, Sara Pedron, Lars Schwettmann, Annette Peters, Margit Heier and Michael Laxy
Additional contact information
Matthias Rabel: Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich 80992, Germany
Filip Mess: Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich 80992, Germany
Florian M. Karl: Helmholtz Zentrum München–German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Garching 85748, Germany
Sara Pedron: Helmholtz Zentrum München–German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Garching 85748, Germany
Lars Schwettmann: Helmholtz Zentrum München–German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Garching 85748, Germany
Annette Peters: Helmholtz Zentrum München—German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
Margit Heier: Helmholtz Zentrum München—German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
Michael Laxy: Helmholtz Zentrum München–German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Garching 85748, Germany

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-12

Abstract: Background: Chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus or hypertension are a major public health challenge. Irregular physical activity (PA) is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for chronic conditions and their complications. However, engaging in regular PA is a challenge for many individuals. The literature suggests that a diagnosis of a disease might serve as a promising point in time to change health behavior. This study investigates whether a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension is associated with changes in PA. Methods: Analyses are based on 4261 participants of the population-based KORA S4 study (1999–2001) and its subsequent 7-and 14-year follow-ups. Information on PA and incident diagnoses of diabetes or hypertension was assessed via standardized interviews. Change in PA was regressed upon diagnosis with diabetes or hypertension, using logistic regression models. Models were stratified into active and inactive individuals at baseline to avoid ceiling and floor effects or regression to the mean. Results: Active participants at baseline showed higher odds (OR = 2.16 [1.20;3.89]) for becoming inactive after a diabetes diagnosis than those without a diabetes diagnosis. No other significant association was observed. Discussion: As PA is important for the management of diabetes or hypertension, ways to increase or maintain PA levels in newly-diagnosed patients are important. Communication strategies might be crucial, and practitioners and health insurance companies could play a key role in raising awareness.

Keywords: physical activity; diagnosis; diabetes; hypertension; health behavior; chronic disease (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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