Association between physical activity levels and the prevalence of self-reported diabetes among adults in the United States: A secondary analysis of national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES) 2005-2006

Authors

• Fnu Shweta, Drexel University, USA
• Fnu Partab, Chandka Medical College, Pakistan
• Sameet Kumar, University of Florida, USA
• Fnu Kashish, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Pakistan
• Anish Kumar, Ziauddin University, Pakistan
• Prinka Kumari, Aga Khan University
• Luksh Virwani, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Pakistan
• Nimarta Bheesham, University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, USA
• Sohan Virwani, Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College, Pakistan

Document Type

Article

Department

Paediatrics and Child Health

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is an important modifiable lifestyle factor associated with metabolic health and diabetes. This study examined the association between different levels of self-reported PA and prevalent self-reported diabetes among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006 sample.
Methods: This cross-sectional secondary analysis included 8,174 adults aged 18 years or older from NHANES 2005-2006. PA was categorized as low (< 150 minutes/week), moderate (150-300 minutes/week), or high (>300 minutes/week). Diabetes status was based on self-reported physician diagnosis. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between PA level and prevalent self-reported diabetes with sequential adjustment for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and body mass index (BMI).
Results: Overall, 650 participants (8.0%) had self-reported diabetes. Diabetes prevalence was 11.8% in the low PA group, 5.9% in the moderate group, and 5.7% in the high group. In the unadjusted model, moderate PA was associated with lower odds of diabetes (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.36-0.61), as was high PA (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.38-0.54). After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and BMI, the associations were attenuated but remained statistically significant for moderate activity (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57-0.99) and high activity (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.66-0.99).
Conclusion: Moderate and high levels of self-reported PA were associated with lower odds of prevalent self-reported diabetes compared with low PA in the analyzed NHANES sample. Because of the cross-sectional design, temporality and causality cannot be established. Prospective studies using appropriate complex-survey methods are needed to further evaluate this association.

DOI

10.7759/cureus.115553

Recommended Citation

Shweta, F., Partab, F., Kumar, S., Kashish, F., Kumar, A., Kumari, P., Virwani, L., Bheesham, N., Virwani, S. (2026). Association between physical activity levels and the prevalence of self-reported diabetes among adults in the United States: A secondary analysis of national health and nutrition examination survey (NHANES) 2005-2006.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_women_childhealth_paediatr/1782