Abstract:

AIM: This study aimed at evaluating and comparing the functional physical performance capacities of obese adults and adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

SUBJECTS: Forty (40) each of male and female obese adults and patients with type 2 DM with age ranged between 24.00- 57. 00 (mean±SD= 40.13±10.27) years and 30. 00 – 65.00 (mean±SD= 60.53±10.41) years respectively were purposively recruited into this study. Their mean body weights and heights were 92.00±12.16kg and 1.66±0.09m; and 79.00±7.96kg and 1.66±0.72m respectively. The body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat per height and fat mass per weight of the obese adults were (mean±SD= 33.44±2.34), (mean±SD= 36.56±5.31) and (mean±SD= 32.62±3.52) while those of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were (mean±SD= 29.00±3.98), (mean±SD= 30.82±5.82) and (mean±SD= 25.71±5.54) respectively.

METHODS: The functional physical performance capacities of the subjects were assessed using the validated adapted Short Physical Performance test battery recommended by Onder, Penninx, Ferrucci, Fried, Guralnik and Pahor (2005), administered through its three (3) phases of protocols of standing static balance, chair rise ability and walking speed.  The study design was experimental.

ANALYSIS: Obtained data were fed into SPSS version 16 and statistical analysis methods of descriptive (mean, standard deviation) and parametric statistics of t-test were used for analysis at alpha level of 0.05.

RESULTS: The results showed that both the obese adults and adult patients with type 2 DM had mean functional physical performance scores lower than the normative value of 12.00. However, the obese adults had higher mean value (11.17±0.65) as against the (10.87±0.35) for the adult patients with type 2 DM. The results also showed that there is no statistically significant difference in functional physical performance capacity between the two groups (t= 1.580; p< 0.125). It was observed that the obese adults, despite, being younger in age had reduced functional physical performance capacity that were comparable to those of older adult patients with type 2 DM.

CONCLUSION: It is therefore concluded that engagement of obese people and patients with type 2 DM in structured physical fitness and functional activities programs should form part of their holistic management plan in order to improve their functional capacities to enhance their well-being and prevent disease burdens.

IMPLICATION: This study has established the fact that both obese adults and adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus posses reduced functional physical capacities compared with apparently normal individuals and therefore calls for the need to strengthen public awareness to prevent people from developing obesity and type 2 diabetes, and to encourage the affected people to get involved in physical fitness program as part of their holistic management plan.

Keywords: Physical functions; obese adults; patients with T2DM.