Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · Nov 3, 2026
Quality of Life, Cognitive Function, and Physical Activity among Saudi Adults with Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study
By Haifa Snani, Amal al khaldi, Raghad Alamri et al.
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health concern in Saudi Arabia, with potential consequences for cognitive function and quality of life (QoL). However, evidence regarding the relationships between physical activity (PA), cognition, and diabetes-related QoL in Saudi clinical settings remains limited. Objective: To examine the associations between PA, cognitive performance, and diabetes-related QoL among Saudi adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study was conducted between 4 and 30 March 2025 at the Diabetes Centre of King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital in Taif, Saudi Arabia. A total of 301 adults were included, comprising 137 participants with type 1 diabetes and 164 with type 2 diabetes. Physical activity was assessed using the Ricci-Gagnon questionnaire, cognitive performance using the Arabic Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and QoL using the Arabic Diabetes Quality of Life questionnaire (DQOL). Statistical analyses included group comparisons, correlations, multiple linear regression with robust standard errors, and logistic regression. Results: Overall, 194 participants were classified as active and 107 as inactive. Active participants had significantly higher MoCA scores than inactive participants (25.08 vs. 21.48; mean difference = 3.60, 95% CI: 2.10–5.10; p < 0.001) and higher DQOL scores (85.15 vs. 67.64; mean difference = 17.51, 95% CI: 10.70–24.32; p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, PA and cognitive performance were positively associated with QoL. Similarly, PA, QoL, and monthly income were positively associated with cognitive performance, whereas type 2 diabetes was negatively associated with cognition. Logistic regression further indicated that higher QoL was associated with greater odds of achieving a MoCA score of ≥26 (OR = 1.01, p = 0.016), while type 2 diabetes was associated with lower odds (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.13–0.65; p = 0.003). Conclusion: Physical activity was associated with better cognitive performance and diabetes-related QoL among Saudi adults with diabetes. Cognitive performance was independently associated with QoL. Nevertheless, the cross-sectional design, single-center setting, and unmeasured potential confounders limit causal interpretation and generalizability. Longitudinal and intervention studies are warranted to confirm these findings.