Exercise behavior in a community sample with diabetes: Understanding the determinants of exercise behavioral change

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with exercise behavior among adults with diabetes. METHODS Exercise behavior (stage of exercise readiness and energy expenditure) and potential determinants were measured on a subsample (n=46) of adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes from a randomized population-based telephone survey. Participants were assessed at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. RESULTS Sociodemographic and biomechanical characteristics did not significantly differ between the stages of exercise behavior. Scores on the psychosocial constructs of self-efficacy, behavioral processes, self-concept, and social support were significantly higher for those in the action stage than those in the preaction stage of exercise readiness. Self-efficacy and behavioral process of change were significantly associated with Energy expenditure; self-efficacy was the strongest predictor in the longitudinal analysis. CONCLUSIONS These findings may generate direction for theory development and guide health and medical practitioners when intervening on the specific constructs. Population- and community-based surveys have utility for assessing diabetes health-related behavior (eg, exercise behavior).