It is very important for type-2 diabetes patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and medicines. However recent research has shown which of these three methods patients prefer to adopt.

A study published in the journal Primary Care Diabetes recently explored the willingness of diabetic patients to adopt three types of treatments. These three methods included – a healthy diet, adequate exercise, and correct intake of medicines. Researchers conducted an online survey of new diabetes patients living in the Netherlands and Britain. The average age of the patients included in the study was 57 years. More than half the patients were taking metformin and one-third were residents of Britain.

What do the study results say?

Nearly half of the 67 patients included in the study expressed their desire to adopt any of the three options. Whereas only 6% of patients refused all three. The study found that a healthy diet was an acceptable option for three-quarters of the patients. An equal number of people were also ready to do exercise and take medicines. Those who were more willing to exercise or take medication had higher scores for making lifestyle changes in all three areas (capability, opportunity, and motivation). Level of education, body mass index (BMI), smoking or alcohol consumption, eating habits, or exercise levels were not found to be associated with willingness to change lifestyle.

Variation by country

The study also found that patients in the Netherlands were more positive in terms of adopting a healthy diet. At the same time, British patients often did not like the suggested diet. The study also revealed that the doctor's advice was more motivating for those patients who were not already interested in adopting a healthy diet.

What was learned about exercise and medications?

Those who were ready to exercise believed that it was an easy option. Additionally, they saw more benefits from exercise. Whereas patients who were not ready to exercise described it as difficult. In the case of medications, those who were willing to take medications believed that medications help lower blood sugar. Also, some people around him also benefited from the medicines. On the other hand, those who were not ready to take the medicine believed that they would forget to take the medicine or it would cause more harm.

What was learned from the study?

Studies show that most people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are ready to adopt some option to manage their condition. Perhaps this is because they have not yet experienced the negative aspects of these methods. The study also found that developing healthy eating or exercise habits did not depend on what management options patients were willing to make. Additionally, the study also revealed that there were different trends in different countries in terms of following dietary recommendations.

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