Sedentary behaviour change: barriers and strategies reported by individuals with type 2 diabetes during a multi-component intervention

Abstract

Engaging in high volumes of sedentary behaviour increases the risk of adverse health outcomes, especially for individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Understanding likely influences on behaviour and effective strategies for reducing sedentary time, as explored in this study, can inform future intervention development and implementation. A randomised controlled feasibility trial was undertaken to evaluate a remotely delivered sedentary behaviour intervention in adults with T2DM. As part of the process evaluation, intervention participants (n = 35) were asked to report the barriers they experienced, and strategies adopted, in their efforts to reduce sitting time. Using template analysis, 44 statements of barriers (from n = 18) and 99 statements of attempted behaviour change strategies (from n = 17) from two time periods were analysed. Themes were similar across 3- and 6-month data for barriers [fatigue/sleep (e.g., feeling drowsy), disability/health, work-related (e.g., work tasks and facilities), and context (social or environmental contextual barriers)]. The themes for strategies reflected behaviours associated with ways to break up sitting, increasing incidental physical activity, and adding in purposeful physical activity. Barriers reflected various individual and contextual factors, while change strategies centred on breaking up sitting through substitution of other behaviours and the use of different types of physical activity. Such information may prove useful in future interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour.