ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Public Health
Sec. Public Health Education and Promotion
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1579255
This article is part of the Research Topic(Un)healthy lifestyles, Aging, and Type 2 DiabetesView all 6 articles
Motivating factors for individuals aged 40 to 70 with type 2 diabetes to engage in physical activity
Provisionally accepted
- Centre of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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Introduction: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease caused by insufficient insulin production or impaired insulin use. Globally, type 2 diabetes poses a significant health burden with various complications. While a healthy lifestyle is key to preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes, sustaining long-term habits such as maintaining a healthy weight, dieting, and engaging in physical activity remains a challenging for many patients. Despite growing awareness and earlier diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, motivation to adopt and maintain these behaviours is often limited. Traditionally, motivation has been viewed in terms of strength and quantity, with less focus on its type, quality, and orientation. Self-Determination Theory emphasizes the role of three basic psychological needs – autonomy, competence, and relatedness – in fostering intrinsic motivation and well-being. Research suggests Self-Determination Theory can support lifestyles changes. Objectives: This study aims to explore motivational factors influencing physical activity engagement among individuals type 2 diabetes in the Faroe Islands. Methods: Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with 8 people aged 43-69 years, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Findings showed 4 main themes: 1. Fearing consequences 2. Starting exercise 3. Hoping to keep on, and 4. Being social. These themes highlight factors influencing motivation to engage in physical activity within this group. Conclusion: Findings provide insight into motivational drivers among individuals with type 2 diabetes. While the sample size is limited, results indicate areas for further research and potential targets for tailored interventions.
Keywords: Exercise, physical activity, Diabetes mellitus type 2, Motivation, self-determination
Received: 18 Feb 2025; Accepted: 21 May 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Skoradal, Vesturtún and Helgadóttir Davidsen. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Annika Helgadóttir Davidsen, Centre of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
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