This study aimed to compare the anthropometric parameters and plasma glucose in elderly with type 2 diabetes who practice regular physical activity or not. METHODS: The cross-sectional study comprised 70 elderly people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), aged between 60 and 80 years. Data collection was through a structured questionnaire: a) demographic characteristics of patients (age and level of schooling) and b) characteristics of the pattern of physical activity (frequency, duration (min) and time (months) the practice of physical exercise). Anthropometric measurements were taken and verification of plasma glucose (glyco-hemoglobin). The data were analyzed in the program STATA version 9.0. The data was analyzed using mean and standard deviation of the mean (SD), and analysis of variance (ANOVA); to determine the combination of qualitative variables, it was used the Fisher exact test and associations between quantitative variables were estimated by the coefficient of Pearson's correlation, with 95% confidence. The level of significance was p<0.05. RESULTS: Concerning education level, there was no influence on the attainment of physical activity. In PAF there is a decrease of IMC and plasma glucose as compared to NPAF. The walk was the most physical activity undertaken by the elderly (51.5%). The results obtained in the analysis of data made it possible to show the benefits that physical activity gives individuals in the aging process and in good glycemic control.
Aged; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Anthropometry; Glycemic Index; Health Profile; Motor Activity; Sedentary Lifestyle; Comparative Study; Period Analysis; Physical Activity