Patient Activity and Lifestyle Change in Individuals with Diabetes: A Descriptive Research

Objective: The study is a descriptive study conducted to determine the ability to adapt to lifestyle changes that are important in preventing complications in individuals with Type 2 diabetes, the causes of non-compliance, and their relationship with patient activity. Material and Methods: Hundred and eighty patients with Type 2 diabetes constitued the sample of this research. The data were collected using ''socio-demographic features form'', ''Lifestyle Change Questionnaire'' and ''Patient Activity Measure (PAM)''. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, Mann-Whitney U test, and t-test. Results: Of the individuals in this study, 63.9% (n=115) were female, 61.7% (n=111) were primary school graduates, 67.2% (n=121) were not working, 66.1% (n=119) equal to income, 41.1% (n=74) did not receive any diabetes education, 38.9% (n=70) have hypertension and 7.8% (n=14) have heart failure and 53.3% (n=96) evaluated health perception as worse. Individuals 78.3% (n=141) do not comply with the diet, 82.2% (n=148) had no physical activity, 52,8% (n=95) never check regular blood sugar, and 65.6% (n=118) never took care of their feet. Individuals with high PAM were found to be significantly better at adapting to lifestyle changes (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings show that the majority of people with Type 2 diabetes do not adapt to lifestyle changes. Methods that will increase the motivation of individuals, mobilize them, produce solutions according to work intensities and remedies to their economic inadequacies should be tried. In addition, planning, training and support should be provided to increase the activity level of people with diabetes.