Effects of the leisure-time physical activity environment on odds of glycemic control among a nationwide cohort of United States veterans with a new type-2 diabetes diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined associations between access to leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) facilities and parks and repeated measures of glycated hemoglobin (A1C) over time, using follow-up tests among United States Veterans with newly diagnosed type-2 diabetes (T2D).

METHODS

Data were analyzed from 274,463 patients in the Veterans Administration Diabetes Risk cohort who were newly diagnosed with T2D between 2008 and 2018 and followed through 2023. Generalized estimating equations with a logit link function and binomial logistic regression were used to examine associations.

RESULTS

Patients were on average 60.5 years of age, predominantly male (95.0 %) and white (66.9 %), and had an average of 11.7 A1C tests during the study follow-up period. In high- and low-density urban communities, a one-unit higher LTPA facility density score was associated with 1 % and 3 % greater likelihood of in-range A1C tests during follow-up, respectively, but no association was observed among patients living in suburban/small town and rural communities. Across community types, closer park distance was not associated with subsequent greater odds of in-range A1C tests. Unexpectedly, in low-density urban areas, the likelihood of in-range A1C tests was 1 % lower at farther park distances.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that broader access to LTPA facilities, but not park proximity, may contribute in small ways to maintaining glycemic control after T2D diagnosis in urban communities. Tailored interventions may be needed to promote patients' effective use of LTPA facilities and parks.