Barriers to physical activity in people with diabetes residing in Spain

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to perform an analysis of the barriers to the practice of physical activity and diet in people with diabetes mellitus residing in Spain. Methods: Ninety participants (40 men and 50 women) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (71) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (19) residing in Spain, and aged between 12 and 80 years (average age 41.12 ± 17.04) were part of the present study. The participants were asked about the sociodemographic variables of sex and age, as well as the type of diabetes, the presence of other associated pathologies and the years elapsed since their diagnosis. The participants were also asked about the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Afterwards, the barriers or difficulties perceived in relation to physical exercise were assessed through the Barriers Self-Report for the Practice of Physical Activity (BSPPA) and the diet with the Questionnaire of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MEDAS-14). Then, the participants provided information regarding their last blood test with respect to the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting glucose. A descriptive analysis was carried out to present the characteristics of the sample as well as the barriers for the practice of physical activity presented by the sample studied. Finally, a comparison analysis of means was carried out using the Student's t test for independent samples, showing the significant differences between the barriers for the practice of physical activity according to the characteristics of the sample. Findings: The data showed how the Obligations / Lack of time factor represents the main barrier to the practice of physical activity in this population, especially in women, in those under 65 and in people with type 1 diabetes. Conclusions: In general, it is observed that all those categories that may indicate a less healthy lifestyle have a greater degree of agreement with the perceived barriers.