A Comparison of Physical Activity in Subjects With + Without Type 2 Diabetes in the Western

Upper Peninsula of Michigan: A Preliminary Investigation

Paige Papineau, Stacy Harwood, Caroline Gwaltney, Carolyn Duncan, Kelly Kamm
Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA

Background Methods Results

 Over 30 million Americans have diabetes, with over 90% being • Participants: • Based on participant responses on the IPAQ-E:
type 2 diabetes (T2D). • 14 (5 T2D, 8 Non-T2D) participants in preliminary cohort • T2D:
 T2D has been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading • All residents of Houghton, Baraga and Keweenaw counties
cause of death globally. • Between 65-80 years of age • 60 % reported low levels of physical activity
 Physical activity has been shown to delay progression of T2D + • To be included in T2D group, participants must have T2D diagnosis verified by provider • 20 % reported moderate levels of physical activity
reduce risk for CVD. • 20 % reported high levels of physical activity
• Exclusion Criteria:
 Participation in physical activity is variable. Factors such as rural
• Amputations • Foot ulcers • Non-T2D:
locations and lower socioeconomic status have been shown to
contribute to increased levels of inactivity. • Type 1 Diabetes • Blindness • 0 % reported low levels of physical activity
 Due to its remote, rural geography, the Western Upper Peninsula • Neurological Disorders (i.e., • Cancer for which they are currently • 50 % reported moderate levels of physical activity
(U.P.) of Michigan is a magnification of the disparities created by Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, seeking treatment • 0 % reported high levels of physical activity
low socioeconomic status. dementia, stroke, spinal cord injury,
brain injury Chi
Degree of P
 Health Behavior N= Square
freedom value
• Participants wore a Fitbit wrist-worn activity monitoring device over the period of three Value

Purpose/Hypothesis consecutive months (November 2021 - February 2022)  to obtain physical activity data Physical Activity 14 2 12.391 0.002
including heart rate, step count, and activity duration. Subjective Health Status 13 3 7.396 0.0603

• Although not utilized in the current study, the data collected from the Fitbit devices and Falls 14 1 0.048 0.8262
• Purpose: To characterize and compare exercise participation and
will be used in a continuation of the study. Fear of Falling 14 2 6.479 0.0392
health behaviors between non-T2D and T2D residents in the U.P. 
Fear of Falling Avoid Activities 14 2 2.428 0.297
• Hypothesis: Compared to a non-T2D population, those with T2D • Participants completed six questionnaires at the beginning of study Fear of Falling Change Behavior 14 1 0.0256 0.8719
will have: Co-Morbidities 14 4 4.074 0.3961
• Decreased exercise participation • Individuals were categorized into three levels (high, moderate, low) physical activity
BMI 14 2 1.84 0.3981
• Decreased positive health behaviors: • Calculated based on participant responses on International Physical Activity
Questionnaire- Elderly (IPAQ-E) Medications 13 4 12.319 0.0151
• Participation in physical activity
• Intensity of physical activity participation
• Responses from remaining questionnaires were cleaned, coded through development of a
• Self-perceived weight/BMI
• Increased usage of medication data dictionary, then compared via Chi-Square test of independence (α=0.05) to aid in the Conclusions
• Increased rate of falls and greater fear of falling characterization of participants' health behaviors and levels of physical activity.
• Compared to Non-T2D individuals, participants with T2D
**Preliminary study of an ongoing investigation** Self-Reported Questionnaires demonstrated:
• Lower physical activity levels
Demographics Age, ethnicity, gender, education, insurance, employment, marital
• Greater fear of falling
Experimental Design status
• Greater use of medication
General Health Self-reported comorbidities, injuries, and operations (Medical History
Questionnaire) • Due to discrepancies in accuracy and validity via use of
self-report data, the current analysis highlights the necessity
Lifestyle Self-reported health status, insurance coverage, Frequency of of both Fitbit utilization for logged activity data and
healthcare visits (primary care, emergency, hospital stays), alcohol and practicing caution with the self-report data in the ongoing
tobacco consumption, ability to obtain foods, ability to participate in
study.
physical activity, financial and housing status (Lifestyle and Health
• By doing so, investigators continuing data collection may
Behaviors Questionnaire)
provide more robust insight on best methods of addressing
Physical Activity Self-reported physical activity levels by activity type (IPAQ-E) health-related needs of individuals living with T2D in
Michigan’s Western U.P.
Diabetes Control T2D Diabetes status, Self-reported blood glucose/A1C, use of diabetes
medication and other medication use (Type 2 Diabetes History
Questionnaire, Medication and Supplement Questionnaire) Acknowledgements
Fall History History of falls, fall descriptions, and fear of falling in the past year Thank you to the Portage Health Foundation
for your support!