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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a growing public health burden in Kenya and in the globe. Regular physical activity remains a key non-pharmacological strategy for improving glycemic outcomes in type 2 diabetic patients. This study assessed the relationship between physical activity and blood sugar control among adults with T2DM attending the outpatient diabetes clinic at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Nairobi, using a cross-sectional analytical design. Physical activity was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and converted into MET-min/week categories; clinical glycemic indicators were obtained from patient records and validated where necessary, with quantitative analysis conducted in SPSS. Data from 116 participants was analyzed. Most participants were found to be overweight (41.4%) or obese (27.6%). Random blood sugar levels showed that 25.0% were within the normal range (<7.8 mmol/L), 38.8% were elevated (7.8–11.0 mmol/L), and 36.2% were in the diabetes range (≥11.1 mmol/L). Reported physical activity participation was also generally high with Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-based categorization showing that 70.2% of the respondents had above average (≥3000 MET-min/week). A weak inverse association was as well observed between total energy expenditure (MET-min/week) and random blood sugar (r = −0.062). These findings suggest that although many patients report engaging in physical activity, the relationship with glycemic control may be limited or influenced by other factors such as weight status and broader lifestyle or clinical factors. Strengthening structured and monitored activity counselling alongside weight management support may therefore improve diabetes outcomes in this setting.
Martin et al. (Tue,) studied this question.