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50% of Diabetes Patients Are Less Likely to Exercise Due to Arthritis

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2008

More than half of adult diabetics in the U.S. also have arthritis, which causes joint pain that may prevent the exercise they need to stay healthy, a study found.

About 30 percent of people with both conditions were inactive, compared with 21 percent with diabetes alone and 17 percent with arthritis alone, according to the study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Just 11 percent of adults with neither condition were inactive.

About 46 million adults in the U.S. have arthritis and 21 million have diabetes, according to the CDC. Exercise helps control blood sugar, blood pressure and body weight, which are especially important in people with diabetes, the CDC said. Regular activity reduces the risk of heart disease and nerve damage in diabetics and strengthens arthritic joints.

``These findings suggest more needs to be done to help people with diabetes and arthritis get physically active to improve their health,'' Chad Helmick, a CDC epidemiologist and co-author of the study, said in a statement. ``Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate the pain and disability that often accompany arthritis.''
Researchers surveyed people in all 50 U.S. states from 2005 to 2007. People were considered inactive if they said they never did moderate or vigorous activities, which include brisk walking, gardening and vacuuming.

People with arthritis should consider exercises that don't stress their joints, including swimming, walking and bicycling, the CDC said.

Source: Diabetes In Control