Evaluation and physical activity prescribed for type II diabetics

In Brazil diabetes mellitus affects 7.6% of the population aged between 30 and 69 years, 90 to 95% of whom are affected by type II diabetes (adult onset diabetes, non-insulin dependent). As a matter of fact, physical activity is extremely important to prevent the evolution of such disease. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to analyze physical activity prescription for type II diabetics (DII). In order to achieve this aim, a questionnaire was sent to 35 endocrinologists from several Brazilian cities. The questionnaire was composed of the following questions: 1) Do you advise your patients to take physical activity? 2) If so, do you yourself prescribe the physical exercises or do you leave this responsibility to another professional? 3) In case you yourself prescribe them, what are your usual recommendations? Answers have shown that, among other aspects, all doctors recommend physical activity, but only 53% of them send their patients to physical education professionals for advice. Also, 21% of the doctors have reported to prescribe themselves the physical exercises to their patients, 56% of whom usually recommend moderate walking, 18% change of habits and 13% low-intensity exercises. The data collected has s=?wn a low interaction between physical education professionals and physicians. Besides, physical activity prescriptions have proved to be inadequate, since exercise volume and intensity are not clearly defined to patients. Instead, prescriptions based on oxygen consumption or on heart rate would be the most adequate. Meanwhile the duration of the activity should also be prescribed, but this aspect has not been taken into consideration by the interviewees. In fact, it must be emphasized that physical activity is extremely Important for DII and that joint actions among health science professionals are essential for the prevention of the evolution of this disease.