Key result
Physical activity is not associated with hypertension risk in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Why the study?
Physical inactivity is a major modifiable risk factor for hypertension and T2DM, but evidence regarding physical activity and hypertension among Nepalese patients with T2DM remained limited.
Are higher physical activity levels associated with lower prevalence of hypertension in Nepalese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus?
Cross-Sectional (n=363)
No
Are higher physical activity levels associated with lower prevalence of hypertension in Nepalese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus?
In this cross-sectional study of Nepalese patients with type 2 diabetes, hypertension was present in 31% of patients and was strongly driven by longer diabetes duration, older age, smoking, and higher BMI, whereas self-reported physical activity showed no statistically significant association.
Hypothesis-generating cross-sectional data should not alter lifestyle counseling in T2DM; leaves open the longitudinal impact of physical activity on incident hypertension in South Asian cohorts.
Physical inactivity is a major modifiable risk factor for hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), both of which increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, evidence regarding physical activity and hypertension among Nepalese patients with T2DM remains limited. To assess physical activity levels, determine hypertension prevalence, identify factors associated with hypertension among patients with T2DM. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 363 patients with T2DM attending Nepal Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, from November 2025 to April 2026. Data were collected through structured interviews, medical record reviews, anthropometric measurements. Physical activity was assessed using the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (WHO-GPAQ) and expressed as metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or current antihypertensive medication use. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression.The mean age was 54.43 ± 11.86 years, and 55.1% were female. Hypertension was present in approximately one-third of participants. Significant associations were observed with age >53 years (p<0.001), diabetes duration >4 years (p<0.001), smoking (p<0.001), marital status (p=0.036), occupation (p<0.001), and BMI (p=0.006). Physical activity was not significantly associated with hypertension (p=0.152). Independent predictors included diabetes duration >4 years (AOR=76.94), age >53 years (AOR=15.46), smoking (AOR=4.36), and marital status (AOR=1.75). Hypertension is prevalent among patients with T2DM. Older age, longer diabetes duration, smoking, and higher BMI are important determinants. Lifestyle interventions promoting physical activity may improve cardiovascular health.
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Singh et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=363). High physical activity (≥3000 MET-min/week) vs. Low physical activity (<600 MET-min/week) was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (SBP ≥140 mmHg, DBP ≥90 mmHg, or current antihypertensive medication use) (OR 2.08, 95% CI 0.386-4.48, p=0.063). Physical activity was not significantly associated with hypertension (31% overall prevalence, p=0.152) in T2DM patients, whereas diabetes duration >4 years (AOR 76.94) and age >53 years (AOR 15.46) were strong predictors.
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