Physical Activity and Participation

Veterans With Diabetes Mellitus: Improving Physical Activity and Participation

The purpose of the study is to investigate if the investigators can improve physical activity and social participation level among Veterans with diabetes.

Physical activity is the cornerstone of good diabetes management, and yet effective physical activity intervention is not available. The investigators developed a lifestyle intervention based on individual's home activity patterns. The goal of the study is to test the efficacy of this intervention among Veterans with diabetes in a randomized-controlled trial. In addition to physical activity, the investigators will also assess if the intervention will improve social participation among Veterans.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Veterans
• Aged 60 years or older
• Has Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Able to operate accelerometer
• Competent to consent to the study
• No dementia diagnosis
• Ambulatory with or without assistive device
• English-speaking
• Community living (i.e., not a nursing home resident)
• Not physically active on a regular basis (less than 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medically unstable
• Hospitalized within the last 6 months
• 2 or more days of complete bed rest in the last month
• hemiplegia or limb amputation
• Self-reported illness or conditions that would impair the cooperation with the study team or the ability to complete the study
• work involved in shift schedule
• current enrollment of a physical activity program
• replacement of hip or knee within the last 6 months.
• Parkinson's disease
• frequent falls