Purpose: The study was undertaken to investigate the impact of physical activity (PA) and body weight on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among type 2diabetes mellitus (T2DM) attending a tertiary health facility in south-west Nigeria.

Relevance: Despite numerous health benefits of PA, it promotion is often inadequate and majority of this population do not become or remain regularly active. This study provides additional evidence of importance of regular PA.

Participants: Consecutive sample of 119 participants with mean age (61.8±11.8 years) were selected. They included 47 men (39.5%) and 72 women (60.5%).

Methods: A cross-section of the participants’ PA were assessed using long form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and were categorized as physically active or inactive. Their quality of life was assessed with health survey Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Standard methods were used to assess their body weight and height.

Analysis: Data was analysed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentages and inferential statistics of t-test, Pearson’s correlation and regression where applicable.

Results: About 62% of the participants were overweight or obese while 69% were physically active and 31% inactive. There was sex difference in body mass index (BMI) but not in physical activity. Role limitation physical and role limitation emotional were most affected domains of HRQoL. The HRQoL of physically active were significantly higher than those of physically inactive participants in all domains except pain domain. The HRQoL of obese participants were lower than overweight participants but only significant for pain domain. Physical activity (Met Minute/week) was significantly correlated with all domains of HRQoL with exception of emotional wellbeing and pain domains. Regression analysis revealed that physical activity remains a significant predictor of physical composite summary (R²=0.16; p<0.001), physical functioning (R²=0.21; p<0.001), role limitation physical (R²=0.14; p<0.001), general health (R²=0.13; p<0.01), mental composite summary (R²=0.13; p<0.01), role limitation emotional (R²=0.11; p<0.01) and emotional well-being (R²=0.09; p<0.05) when controlling for age, sex and BMI.

Conclusions: High level of physical activity improves HRQoL while increased body mass index decreases it. Future studies should compare normal population with T2DM.

Implications: With the positive influence of high physical activity on HRQoL, the Physiotherapist should encourage people with T2DM to be involved in regular PA through individualized education, proper counselling and periodic feedback.

Key words: Physical activity, bodyweight, Health-related quality of life