The prevalence of leisure-time physical activity among diabetics in South Carolina.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death among South Carolinians. The benefit of physical activity on the control and prevention of diabetes has been established. This study determined the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity among South Carolinians with and without diabetes and compared the physical activity of those with diabetes between 1990 and 2000.


METHODS
Data from the South Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to classify adults with and without diabetes into categories of physical activity.


RESULTS
Physical inactivity was higher among South Carolinians with diabetes (42%) than in those without (27%). A comparison of physical activity in diabetics between 1990 and 2000 demonstrated a slight decrease (2%) in physical inactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in physical inactivity among diabetics is encouraging; however, further promotion of physical activity is recommended to encourage diabetics to engage in physical activity on a regular basis.
Department of Exercise Science, the Prevention Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Connie
C
Van Vrancken
Christopher M
CM
Bopp
Jared P
JP
Reis
Katrina D
KD
DuBose
Karen A
KA
Kirtland
Barbara E
BE
Ainsworth
D000328:Adult; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000145:classification*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D013022:South Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology