Predictability of physical activity and bodyweight on health-related quality of life amongst Nigerian type 2 diabetes mellitus

Physical inactivity and adiposity had been shown to increase the risk and progression of diabetes mellitus whilst combined effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) amongst type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients has not been highlighted. This study examined the impact of physical activity (PA) and body weight on HRQoL amongst T2DM. Amongst a cross-section of 119 participants, PA was assessed using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and categorized as physically active or inactive. Their body weight and height were assessed whilst their HRQoL was assessed with the Short Form-36 Questionnaire. The t test, Pearson’s correlation and regression analyses were performed. About 69 % of the participants were physically active whilst 61.8 % were overweight or obese. Role limitation due to physical health (RLDPHP) and role limitation due to emotional problems (RLDEP) were the worst affected domains of HRQoL. The HRQoL decreases in all domains with increasing bodyweight. The HRQoL of physically active participants were better than for physically inactive in all domains of the HRQoL scale. The effects of PA persisted on HRQoL when adjusted for bodyweight. Though HRQoL scores were better amongst physically active participants in all domains of normal weight and overweight/obese group, PA showed significant correlation with HRQoL in all domains except in emotional well-being, RLDEP and pain domains. Regression models showed that PA remains a significant predictor of HRQoL. This study affirms that physically active participants have better HRQoL than inactive patients, regardless of their bodyweight.