title: Exercise patterns and behaviour in Asian Indians: data from the baseline survey of the Diabetes Community Lifestyle Improvement Program (D-CLIP).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper attempts to describe the patterns of exercise and the perceived benefits and barriers to exercise in an urban south Indian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study participants were recruited from the baseline survey of the D-CLIP (Diabetes Community Lifestyle Improvement Program). Frequency, duration, type and location of exercise were assessed using a questionnaire, while a Likert type scale was used to assess perceived benefits of and barriers to exercise. Quality of life was measured using the EQ-5D.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 1281 participants (63.7% males), 24.1% reported doing ≥150min of exercise/week ("exercisers") compared to 75.9% "non-exercisers". Exercisers were significantly older (47 vs. 43 years), better educated (68.8% vs. 60%), had a higher monthly income (41% vs. 29.2%), consumed more fruits (38.2% vs. 25.6%) and vegetables (84.1% vs. 77.7%) and had better perceived state of health (81.1% vs. 76.8%), compared to non-exercisers. Exercisers had significantly lower HOMA-IR, higher Matsuda index and lower prevalence of low HDL cholesterol compared to non-exercisers. However, there were no significant differences in cardio-metabolic risk factors like diabetes, hypertension and obesity between the two groups. Walking was the most common type of exercise. Both exercisers and non-exercisers perceived the benefits of exercising, but barriers weighed more heavily on exercise behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urgent steps are needed to improve overall exercise levels in India by addressing barriers and improving the quality of exercise performed so as to enhance overall metabolic health.
authors.affiliation: Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for Non-communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, IDF Centre of Education, Gopalapuram, Chennai, India. Electronic address: dranjana@drmohans.com.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Anjana
authors.affiliation: Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for Non-communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, IDF Centre of Education, Gopalapuram, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ranjani
authors.affiliation: Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for Non-communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, IDF Centre of Education, Gopalapuram, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Unnikrishnan
authors.affiliation: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.affiliation: Madras Diabetes Research Foundation & Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, WHO Collaborating Centre for Non-communicable Diseases Prevention and Control, IDF Centre of Education, Gopalapuram, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: K M Venkat
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Narayan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Asian Indians; Diabetes; Exercise; India; Physical inactivity