Physical Activity and Perceived Barriers among Type2 Diabetic Patients in Erbil City

Background and objectives: Physical activity is necessary for providing a healthy lifestyle, improving quality of life, controlling diabetes mellitus and promoting glycemic control. The aim of the study was to assess physical activity and to determine barriers to physical activity among type 2 diabetic patients in Erbil city. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 type 2 diabetic patients, attending Layla Qasim Center in Erbil City during May 27 to 30 August 2019. Data was col-lected using an interview based questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data, clinical characteristics, Physical activity assessed using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and standardized questionnaire developed by the Centers of Diseases Control and Prevention for determining barriers of physical activity. Data were analyzed using descrip-tive statistical approach. Results: Participant were 400 patients with mean age of 57.0 + 9.4 years, 64.3% of the sample were females. (72.3%) of the sample were illiterate, 77.5% were either unem-ployed or housewives. 83.8% of the sample were married, 80.25% of samples had first degree relative positive family of diabetes. 56.5% of samples take oral hypoglycemic me-diactons.39.2% of samples were overweight and 83.7% of samples had poor glycemic con-trol.57.8% of participants didn’t meet recommendations (< 600 minutes per week) of physical activity. The main barriers that keeps patients from being active were lack of en-ergy (54.8%), lack of willpower (53%), and lack of skill (49.3%). Conclusions: According to the finding of the study type 2 diabetic patients had insuffi-cient physical activity to meet the recommended level necessary to achieve optimal gly-caemic control, prevent or decrease diabetic complications. Interventions should include guiding individuals to evolving recreational physical activity and overwhelming barriers to physical activity.