Level, types and determinants of physical activity in children with type 1 diabetes and their parents: A cross-sectional study

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the level, types and determinants of leisure time PA and exercise among children with type 1 diabetes and their parents. Methods: One hundred twenty children aged 6-18 years with type 1 diabetes and 113 parents (n = 113) participated to this questionnaire-based study at Northern Ostrobothnia District Hospital in Oulu, western Finland. All participants gave informed consent before entering this study. Results: Twenty-three per cent of the children exercised briskly for at least 7 h a week which corresponds to 60 min per day. The total PA occasions children had with a parent accounted for the children's total number of PA occasions in a week (beta = 0.83, 95% CI 0.20-1.47) and total weekly hours of PA (beta = 0.90, 95% CI 0.07-1.73). There was a positive association between total weekly hours of brisk PA and HbA(1)c (beta = 0.65, 95% CI 0.02-0.13), while there was no such association with light PA (beta = 0.42, 95% CI -0.04-0.87). Laziness, fear of unexpected glycaemic variability and tiredness were the most frequent barriers to PA in children. Conclusion: Most of the children with type 1 diabetes did not reach generally recommended 60 min of brisk PA a day. Exercising with a parent was positively associated with children's weekly frequency and total hours of PA.