LAST: Leisure Activity Step Tracking study

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) is currently the 7th leading cause of death and by 2025 1 in 5 will be living with T2DM. Since a risk factor for T2DM is physical inactivity, interventions to increase physical activity (PA) should be examined. In November 2018, the U.S Department of health established updated guidelines for PA, removing the bout length requirement stated in previous guidelines. This modification demonstrates that any PA is better than none and every bit counts. For better T2DM management, increasing participation in leisure-time PA is critical. This pilot study aims to promote leisure-time PA that is feasible and effective and can be performed in short sessions outside of a gym. Leisure time PA includes parking further from the store, taking the stairs, cleaning the house, and gardening.

Participants (N=3) between 18-65 years of age, inactive (classified as <150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week), diagnosed with T2DM participated in a 12 week pilot intervention study. This pilot intervention program included a 6-week active intervention through in-person group meetings and social media posts. Each week a new individualized step goal was set at 10% increase from the previous week’s average while also discussing topics related to behavior modification, PA, and T2DM. This was followed by 6-weeks of no active intervention. Participants were asked to wear a Fitbit to track their steps each day for all 12 weeks. Data was collected 3 times throughout the study: baseline, midpoint, and endpoint. Measurements included a hip-to-waist ratio assessment, recording of average daily steps motivation, barriers to adherence, awareness of PA level, and additional physical and mental constraints. ANOVA testing results comparing data from all 3 timepoints will be the main focus of the presentation at the Research and Creative Achievement Week.

We hypothesized that individuals who went through the 12-week technology-assisted intervention would improve their step count through setting weekly step goals to decrease their risk factors associated with T2DM.

Findings from this study reveal a more feasible way for those diagnosed with T2DM to become more active. While also showing the need for long term support for those with T2DM to maintain increased levels of physical activity. Although limitations do exist for this study, including small sample size, data analysis and focus group results reveal the need for further development and implementation of leisure activity T2DM intervention programs.