Increased Knowledge on Physical Activity Level (PAL) Improves Blood Glucose Level (BGL) of Adult Males with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Comparative Study from Border-belt of Indian Punjab

A tremendous transformation in lifestyle is considerably a reason for progression of metabolic disorders such as type- 2 diabetes mellitus for middle-aged population the world over. Moreover, rural masses possess very little knowledge about the association between PAL and Type-2 diabetes mellitus. To manage these type of ailments, physical activity level should be altered on individual basis through employing scientific calculations. Therefore, the present study was planned to assess BMI, PAL, BGL and to study the impact of dissemination of PAL knowledge on BGL of adult males with Type-2 diabetes mellitus. Cluster randomized design was employed to conduct a comparative study (20172019) on 300 adult males (aged between 40-80 years) with Type-2 diabetes mellitus from six different villages of district Tarn Taran, Punjab, India and these males were divided equally into two groups i.e. Group I (N=150) (Control) and Group II (N=150) (Experimental, imparted with PAL knowledge). Modified WHO-STEPS questionnaire version 3.01, was worked out to collect data on socio-demographic, BMI and BGL parameters. PAL was calculated through recording activities performed by males by Physical Activity Diary Method (PADM) for three consecutive days. PAL knowledge was tested through knowledge and practice (KP) questionnaire. Collected data was analyzed through applying t-test, paired t-test and One-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) with Tukey’s post-hoc test. Results have shown a significant (p<0.05) association between PAL knowledge and BGL. An increase of 5.0 points in mean PAL knowledge scores and a decline of 78 mg/ dL in mean BGL of adult males with Type-2 diabetes mellitus in group II was noted, after implementation of PAL knowledge intervention. In view of above-findings, the current study calls a need for physical activity related knowledge interventions for effective management of Type-2 diabetes mellitus at rural areas.