Abstract
Background: Sedentary lifestyle is among the forerunner causes of major non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and diverse types of cancer, contributing substantially to the global burden of disease. There is a massive increase in the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis, contribute significantly to diabetes related deaths.

Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to compare the body mass index (BMI), nitric oxide (NO), and lipid profile in physically active and sedentary Type 2 DM patients.

Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 70 patients of Type 2 DM. The inclusion criteria were HbA1c ≥6.5%, age between 30 and 60 years, and a disease history of 5–10 years. The exclusion criteria were the presence of any other chronic/acute illness, patients having difficulty in walking, patients on any nitrate and nitrite drugs, patients on lipid-lowering drugs, history of alcohol, tobacco, or other substance abuse. Assessment of physical activity was done by International Physical Activity Questionnaire - long form. BMI, NO, and lipid profile were assessed for the two groups. Statistical analysis was carried out using GraphPad Prism 7.0. Groups of data were compared with an analysis of variance followed by the tukey test. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: In the physically active group, BMI (P = 0.0345), total cholesterol (P < 0.0001), low-density lipoprotein (P < 0.001), and triglycerides (P < 0.001) were significantly less; while their high-density lipoprotein (P < 0.0001) and NO (P < 0.0001) was significantly more as compared to the sedentary group.

Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that in patients of type 2 DM, a physically active lifestyle was associated with decreased cardiovascular risk.

Key words: Lifestyle; Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Nitric Oxide; Lipid Profile; International Physical Activity Questionnaire