title: Effect of mild physical activity in obese and elderly women with type 2 diabetes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Elderly, obese women with diabetes who have limitations in mobility often are unable to walk for a sustained period of time. We need to find a way to increase physical activity in these subjects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of low-intensity, repetitive, home-based walking regimen on glycemic control in elderly, obese women with diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 24-week open, 2 arms, and prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 18 elderly people with type 2 diabetes were recruited. Nine subjects were instructed to walk for 5 minutes per hour for most waking hours for 24 weeks. The rest were given standard advice regarding diet and exercise. Glycemic control, HbA1c, weight, BMI, subjects' physical fitness, QOL, and distance walked in 6 minutes were determined before and after the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mild physical activity of 5 minutes walking/hour everyday and antidiabetic medications prescribed as per clinic procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant reduction in HbA1c within the study group (8.76% to 7.43%) (P = 0.08) vs rise in the control group (8.34% to 9.34%) (P = 0.07). There was a significant weight loss within the group which exercised (P = 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repetitive low-intensity activity is effective in improving glycemic control and weight management in elderly obese women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Krishna G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Seshadri
authors.forename: Vidya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ananthakrishnan
authors.forename: Bubblu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tamilselvan
authors.forename: Rajendran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Amarabalan
authors.forename: Ram Nagendra
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Kumar
keywords: Obese; elderly women; glycemic control; mild physical activity; type 2 diabetes
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