Self-Reported Physical Activity Is Associated With β-Cell Function in Mexican American Adults

OBJECTIVE-To examine the association between self-reported physical activity (PA) and diabetes-related quantitative traits. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-The observational cohort was 1,152 Mexican American adults with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests, and self-reported dietary and PA questionnaires. PA was categorized into three mutually exclusive groups according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services PA guidelines for Americans: low (vigorous <75 min/week and moderate <150 min/week), moderate (vigorous >= 75 min/week or moderate >= 150 min/week), and high (vigorous >= 75 min/week and moderate >= 150 min/week). Trends in PA groups were tested for association with metabolic traits in a cross-sectional analysis. RESULTS-The participants' mean age was 35 years (range, 18-66 years), mean BMI was 29.6 kg/m(2), and 73% were female. Among them, 501 (43%), 448 (39%), and 203 (18%) were classified as having low, moderate, and high PA, respectively. After adjustment for age, a higher PA was significantly associated with lower 2-h glucose, fasting insulin, and 2-h insulin and greater beta-cell function (P = 0.001, 0.0003, 0.0001, and 0.004, respectively). The association did not differ significantly by sex. Results were similar after further adjustment for age, sex, BMI, or percent body fat. CONCLUSIONS-An increasing level of PA is associated with a better glucose and insulin profile and enhanced beta-cell function that is not explained by differences in BMI or percent body fat. Our results suggest that PA can be beneficial to beta-cell function and glucose regulation independent of obesity. Diabetes Care 36:638-644, 2013