Abstract
Black adults living in Canada experience almost twice the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) observed in their White counterparts. However, little is known about how many achieve minimum physical activity levels recommended by the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines to manage their T2D. The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of Black adults living with T2D in Canada who report achieving the 24-Hour Movement Guideline of 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activities per week. Between May-August 2024, 186 adults (≥ 18 y) who self-identified as Black, lived in Canada, and reported physician-diagnosed T2D, completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Long Form. Descriptive analysis showed that 38% of the participants (n = 71) met the guideline, 33% (n = 61) did not, and 29% (n = 54) were excluded because key activity data were missing or invalid. The percentage of participants meeting the physical activity guideline more than doubles the 18% national average for Canadians adults overall. Data indicates that many respondents incorporate walking, cycling, household chores, active travel, and physically demanding work—into their daily routines. These findings provide the first population-specific baseline for physical activity among Black adults living with T2D in Canada. Future work should partner with Black communities to learn which cultural practices and daily routines help Black adults living with T2D stay active. Co-creating practical, culturally relevant resources will be an important step toward helping more Black adults living with T2D reach—and enjoy—the recommended activity levels.
