Abstract
Background:
Cardiovascular risk factor (RF) control is a cornerstone of diabetes management. Little is known about whether objectively-measured sedentary time and physical activity are associated with meeting RF goals in individuals with diabetes.
Methods:
We examined cross-sectional associations of sedentary behaviors and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with meeting RF goals in 1,699 adults who self-reported diagnosed diabetes from the HCHS/SOL, a population-based cohort of US Hispanics/Latinos conducted between 2008 and 2011. Sedentary time and MVPA were assessed by Actical accelerometers for 7 days. Five RF goals were defined: HbA1c <7.0%; systolic/diastolic blood pressure <140/80 mmHg; triglycerides <150 mg/dL; LDL-cholesterol <100mg/dL; HDL-cholesterol >40/50 mg/dL for men/women.
Results:
The mean time spent in sedentary behaviors and MVPA was 12.5 hrs/day and 17.2 mins/day, respectively. Adults with diabetes meeting greater number of RF goals spent, on average, less time in sedentary behaviors, and the odds of meeting ≥ 3 RF goals, relative to meeting zero RF goal, was 3.31 (95% CI 1.27, 7.68) times by comparing the lowest and highest tertiles of sedentary time (Figure 1). Specifically, after adjustment for potentially confounding variables and MVPA, less sedentary time was associated with increased odds of meeting HbA1c (OR for the lowest vs highest tertile of sedentary time =1.81 [1.20, 2.72]; P for trend =0.005) and triglyceride (OR =2.07 [1.34, 3.20]; P for trend =0.001) goals. MVPA was not associated with meeting any RF goals (all P for trend >0.21). Associations between sedentary time and meeting RF goals were consistent among adults meeting or not meeting MVPA recommendations.
Conclusions:
US Hispanics/Latino adults with diabetes who spend less sedentary time were more likely to meet RF goals, particularly HbA1c and triglyceride goals, regardless of MVPA. Our findings further emphasize the importance of reducing sedentary behaviors beyond increasing exercise in individuals with diabetes.