The Effect of Physical Exercise Program in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between demographic and psychological characteristics with the status of physical activity of type 2 diabetic patients from Sub-District Health Promoting Hospital (SDHPH). Methods: Data were collected from 1,890 type 2 diabetic patients using self-registered questionnaires. The questionnaire included questions about demographic characteristics, and exercise, while medical records were examined for complications, treatments, and diabetes control indicators. Furthermore, descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and Fisher's exact test were performed. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: According to the result of Chi-square tests and Fisher's exact test, it was observed that education level and occupation were significantly influenced by physical activity level at significance levels of 0.05. Conclusion: This study shows that socio-demographic factors play an important role in exercise behavior, and these should be taken into account accordingly while designing fitness intervention.