Introduction: Nutrition and physical activity are key elements in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. A community-based, multidisciplinary educational intervention aimed to improve quality of life and disease self-management in sedentary, overweight/obese type 2 diabetic patients was implemented in Naples, South Italy.
Methods: The 9-month intervention included a motivational program, a nutrition program, and an exercise program. Satisfaction, worry, and embarrassment regarding their condition, together with disease-related behaviors and propensity towards physical activity, were evaluated through a validated questionnaire before and after the intervention; health status perception was evaluated through the short-form 12 questionnaire. Changes in HbA1c level and weight were also checked.
Results: A significant improvement (p < 0.05) was registered in behaviors related to the management of hypoglycemic crisis and food choice; in nearly all the items related to living with the disease (p < 0.01); and in health status perception (p < 0.01). The adoption of healthy behavior was more common among women (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.09, 3.02) and persons with higher educational levels (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.83, 2.17; OR 1.54, 95% CI 0.56, 2.27). About 30% of participants did not modify their emotional status after the intervention. Although not significantly (p = 0.18), the trust of patients towards physical activity increased at the end of the study, together with their active lifestyle (p < 0.01) and with the decrease of perceived barriers (p < 0.01). A significant improvement was registered in glycemic control and weight status (p < 0.01).
Conclusions: The intervention was feasible and effective in addressing diet and physical activity among participants, giving consequent improvements in health status. Similar educational interventions including a training program for people with diabetes should be standardized and adopted by the Italian National Health System.
Keywords: Exercise; Healthy lifestyles; Self-management education; Type 2 diabetes.