Efectos de la actividad física sobre la asociación entre obesidad y diabetes mellitus tipo 2: resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010 = The association between adiposity and diabetes is modified by physical activity

Background: Physical inactivity and obesity are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D). Aim: To investigate whether if the association between obesity and diabetes is modified by levels of physical activity in the Chilean population. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study including 4,712 participants from the 2009-2010 National Health Survey. Diabetes was determined when participants referred having the disease or had a fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl. Physical activity level was assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The association between diabetes, obesity and physical activity was determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: Compare to active and normal weight subjects (reference group), the risk for T2D was higher in active individuals with overweight (Odds ratio (OR): 2.85 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.76- 4.61] p < 0.01). The risk among inactive but normal weight participants (OR: 2.12 [95% CI: 1.49- 3.01], p < 0.01) was of lower magnitude and was even higher among inactive and overweight individuals (OR: 3.22 [95% CI: 2.10 – 4.93], p < 0.01). Similar results were found for obesity and central obesity. Conclusions: Individuals who are physically inactive and have a high adiposity level have an increased risk for T2D compared to active individuals with normal BMI