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Perceived Sufficiency of Physical Activity Levels Among Adults at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The FIN-D2D Study

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Abstract

Background

Any increase from a low level of physical activity reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, lack of awareness of one’s physical activity level insufficiency may act as an obstacle to increased physical activity.

Purpose

This study assessed the determinants of perceived physical activity levels (PALs) among adults at high risk of diabetes and the associations with self-reported physical activity.

Methods

In total, 10,149 adults participated in the FIN-D2D lifestyle intervention at baseline. Opportunistic screening was used in identifying high-risk individuals. Physical activity and perceived PAL sufficiency were assessed and compared. Key risk factors for diabetes and psychosocial and demographic characteristics were analyzed as determinants using logistic regression.

Results

PAL sufficiency was rated realistically by 73 % of men and 75 % of women. Perception of sufficient PAL was more likely among individuals with a smaller waist circumference, a higher level of perceived fitness, and no exercise intention. In men, a higher age, and in women, a lower education, and a lower occupational status, also increased the likelihood of perceiving PAL as sufficient. Out of all the participants, 65 % of men and 66 % of women were inactive. Among the inactive participants, 20 (men) and 16 % (women) overestimated their PAL sufficiency. In both genders, such overestimation was predicted by dyslipidemia, a lower waist circumference, a higher level of perceived fitness, and no exercise intention; also (among men) by a higher age and a family history of diabetes, and (among women) by a lower occupational status, and a lower BMI.

Conclusions

In diabetes prevention, it is important to recognize the groups that perceive their PAL as sufficient since they may not see increased PAL as a tool for decreasing their risk of diabetes.

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Acknowledgments

The following individuals contributed to the present study as members of the FIN-D2D Study Group: Ahonen K, Aro E, Eriksson J, Hiltunen L, Himanen O, Huttunen J, Hyytiä A, Ilanne-Parikka P, Jokelainen J, Järvi H, Kallanranta T, Kangas J, Kastarinen M, Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi S, Kesäniemi A, Kiuru S, Kivekäs J, Korpela K7, Korpi-Hyövälti E, Kujala U, Kukkonen-Harjula K, Kunnamo I, Laakso M, Lehmusaho M, Lindström J, Marttila J, Mäkinen O A, Niskanen L, Oksa H, Peltonen M, Pesonen K, Pihlajamäki J, Poskiparta M, Puolakka J, Puska P, Pyylampi H, Pölönen A, Riihelä J, Rimpelä A, Saaristo T, Saltevo J, Sampo T, Saramies J, Sintonen H, Syrjäläinen J, Tuomilehto J, Uusitupa M, Vanhala M, and Winell K.

The writing of the present article was funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, the Diabetes Research Foundation of Finland, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Juho Vainio Foundation. FIN-D2D was supported by financing from hospital districts of Pirkanmaa, Southern Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia, Central Finland, and Northern Savo, also by the Finnish National Public Health Institute, the Finnish Diabetes Association, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health in Finland, and Finland´s Slot Machine Association, in cooperation with the FIN-D2D Study Group, and the Steering Committee consisting of Huttunen J, Kesäniemi A, Kiuru S, Niskanen L, Oksa H, Pihlajamäki J, Puolakka J, Puska P, Saaristo T, Vanhala M, and Uusitupa M. The FIN-D2D study has also been financially supported by the Academy of Finland (grant number 129293) and the Commission of the European Communities, Directorate C−Public Health (grant agreement no. 2004310). We thank Donald Adamson, Lecturer in English, University of Jyväskylä, for editorial advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre for Health Promotion, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Kati Vähäsarja, Sanna Salmela, Jari Villberg & Marita E. Poskiparta

  2. Department of Sport Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Pauli Rintala

  3. Family Practice Units, Central Hospital Central Finland, 40620, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Mauno Vanhala

  4. Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland, 70021, Kuopio, Finland

    Mauno Vanhala

  5. Finnish Diabetes Association, 33680, Tampere, Finland

    Timo Saaristo

  6. Pirkanmaa Hospital District, 33680, Tampere, Finland

    Timo Saaristo

  7. National Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271, Helsinki, Finland

    Markku Peltonen

  8. Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland

    Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi

  9. Unit of General Practice, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, 90220, Finland

    Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi

  10. Health Centre of Oulu, 90100, Oulu, Finland

    Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi

  11. Department of Internal Medicine, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, 60220, Seinäjoki, Finland

    Eeva Korpi-Hyövälti

  12. Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, 70021, Kuopio, Finland

    Leena Moilanen

  13. Department of Medicine, Central Hospital Central Finland, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Leo Niskanen

  14. University of Eastern Finland, 70021, Kuopio, Finland

    Leo Niskanen

  15. Tampere University Hospital, 33521, Tampere, Finland

    Heikki Oksa

  16. Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, PL 35, 40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Kati Vähäsarja

Authors
  1. Kati Vähäsarja
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  2. Sanna Salmela
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  4. Pauli Rintala
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  8. Sirkka Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
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  9. Eeva Korpi-Hyövälti
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  13. Marita E. Poskiparta
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kati Vähäsarja.

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Vähäsarja, K., Salmela, S., Villberg, J. et al. Perceived Sufficiency of Physical Activity Levels Among Adults at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: The FIN-D2D Study. Int.J. Behav. Med. 21, 99–108 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-012-9285-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-012-9285-7

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