Feasibility of physical activity assessment in Asian-Indian populations at high risk for Type 2 Diabetes

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Mark Pereira, MPH, Phd¹, Hitakshi Sehgal, Graduate Student², Sudha Vidyasagar, MBBS, MD³, and Prabha Adhikari, MBBS, MD³. (1) School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, (2) School of Public Health, Division of Health Services Research and Policy, University of Minnesota, Mayo Memorial Building, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, 859-420-5814, sehg0006@umn.edu, (3) Department of Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India

Background: The prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes in India is among the highest in the World. Genetic make-up and life style are likely influencing this surge in Type 2 Diabetes. Currently, there is not much data regarding the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes among Asian-Indians. The situation definitely summons more research for implementing effective preventive strategies. Another reason calling for more research in this population is the fact that obesity rates are relatively low in India. Purpose: The objective of this study was to establish the feasibility of assessing physical activity in urban and rural populations in India.

Methods: A pilot/feasibility study was based on face-to-face interviews with volunteers over the age of 35 from Mangalore (city) and Manipal (town) in southern India. The Modifiable Activity Questionnaire was used to assess leisure and occupational activity over the past year, and the Historical Leisure Activity Questionnaire was used to assess activity over specified life periods.

Three different populations were studied: Bank employees, Senior home residents, and the General population (largely rural), including a total of 325 people.

Results: Analyses are underway to estimate levels of the various components of physical activity in these populations.

Future plans include developing methods for assessing dietary habits and anthropometric measures. We intend to follow this with a longitudinal study and derive results of lifestyle in association with the development of Type 2 Diabetes.

Policy Implications: This research could aid government recommendations for national lifestyle goals.

Significance: This preliminary work will help us in the implementation of surveillance programs and in the design and evaluation of intervention programs.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

Articulate five important and peculiar factors influencing assessment of physical activity in Asian Indian (rural and urban) population.
Determine the progress of Diabetes in Asia (especially India), and understand how this has emerged as a pandemic of diabetes and its complications, threatening to affect more than 300 million people in the next 20 years.
Develop a questionnaire specifically for Asian-Indian population whereby the components of physical activity in their daily life can be assessed.

Keywords: India, Chronic Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Perspectives on Chronic Disease and Aging

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA