Introduction:

The prevalence of physical inactivity in Cuba is 40.4% but the frequency in people with diabetes mellitus is unknown. Factors associated with physical activity include age and a family history of diabetes mellitus, among others.

Objectives:

Determine the level of physical activity and its relation to clinical factors and chronic complications in people with diabetes mellitus.

Methods:

An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 131 people over the age of 18 with diabetes mellitus, in "Heroes of the Moncada" Polyclinic where the level of physical activity was assessed through the short version of IPAQ questionnaire. The Chi square test between qualitative variables and Pearson's correlation was used for quantitative variables.

Results:

Of the patients studied, 54.9% had a low level of physical activity. There was negative correlation between the degree of physical activity and the age (p<0.0001), as well as positive with body weight (p<0.0001). Low level of physical activity was more common in people aged 60 to 79 (59.7%), while high level prevailed in those aged 40-59 (61.3%) (p<0.05).Individuals with just one diabetic first-degree family member were more represented at the low physical activity level (75%).No relationship was found between the level of physical activity and the number of complications of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions:

The level of physical activity in people with diabetes mellitus was low, similar to that of the general population in Cuba and was associated with age, family history of diabetes and excess body weight.

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