Links between adiposity, physical activity and self-reported fatigue in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Fatigue which is modulated by many physiological and psychological factors is a major reason why most patients do not pursue consistent physical activity at recommended levels. Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) usually have inappropriate adiposity and inadequate physical activity. This study describes the links between adiposity, physical activity and self-reported fatigue in a group of Nigerian patients with T2D. Participants for this cross-sectional survey were a consecutive sample of 122 T2D patients assessed for adiposity (using body mass index and body fat percentage), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and self-reported fatigue (Iowa fatigue Scale). Seventy-seven (63.1 %) of the participants were overweight-to-obese, 50.8 % had very high body fat percentage, 49.2 % presented with a low level of physical activity and 78.6 % reported substantial-to-severe fatigue. Significant associations were found between self-reported fatigue and each of body mass index (χ2 = 21.076; p = 0.002), body fat percentage (χ2 = 19.214; p = 0.016) and physical activity (χ2 = 33.332; p = 0.0001). Adjusted odds ratio for reporting substantial-to-severe fatigue was 2.49 (95 % CI = 1.99–3.98) for obese patients and 0.52 (95 % CI = 0.26–0.74) for those with moderate physical activity level. Most of the participants presented with adiposity, low physical activity level, and reported substantial-to-severe fatigue. Self-reported fatigue was significantly linked with adiposity and physical activity. Overweight, obesity, and high body fat percentage increased the risk of reporting substantial-to-severe fatigue while moderate-to-high physical activity level reduced the risk. Commitment to physical activity may help to reduce fatigue in overweight-to-obese T2D patients.