Exercise preferences and barriers in urban African Americans with type 2 diabetes.
The purpose of this study was to determine physical activity preferences and barriers to exercise in an urban diabetes clinic population.



A survey was conducted of all patients attending the clinic for the first time. Evaluation measures were type and frequency of favorite leisure-time physical activity, prevalence and types of reported barriers to exercise, and analysis of patient characteristics associated with reporting an obstacle to exercise.



For 605 patients (44% male, 89% African American, mean age = 50 years, mean duration of diabetes = 5.6 years), the average frequency of leisure activity was 3.5 days per week (mean time = 45 minutes per session). Walking outdoors was preferred, but 52% reported an exercise barrier (predominantly pain). Patients who cited an impediment to physical activity exercised fewer days per week and less time each session compared with persons without a barrier. Increasing age, body mass index, college education, and being a smoker increased the odds of reporting a barrier; being male decreased the chances. Men reported more leisure-time physical activity than women. Exercise preferences and types of barriers changed with age.



Recognition of patient exercise preferences and barriers should help in developing exercise strategies for improving glycemic control.
Wanko
Nancy S
NS
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Brazier
Carol W
CW
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Young-Rogers
Denine
D
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Dunbar
Virginia G
VG
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Boyd
Barbara
B
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
George
Christopher D
CD
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Rhee
Mary K
MK
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
el-Kebbi
Imad M
IM
Department of Medicine, Emory University, and the Grady Health System, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Cook
Curtiss B
CB
Mayo Clinic Scottsdale in Arizona
D044383:Black People; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D014505:Urban Population; D001741:Black or African American