Background and objectives: Currently, diabetes is becoming a very serious challenge in medicine;type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is referred to as a noncontagious epidemic of the 21st century. The aim of the study is to assess the lifestyle of patients with type 2 diabetes, in particular eating habits, physical activity, and tobacco smoking, and to compare the obtained values with the latest recommendations of the Polish Society of Diabetology.
Materials and methods: The study group was comprised of 460 patients with type 2 diabetes, treated in the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic (n = 299) and the Clinical Department of Internal Medicine (n = 166). The study was conducted using a questionnaire, which included the Food Intake Frequency Questionnaire, 24 h dietary recall, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
Results: Abnormal excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids and salt and insufficient intake of dietary fiber was observed in the study group. Physical activity was insufficient in over 50% of the study group. In the study group, 17% of patients were smokers and the mean number of pack-years was 23.
Conclusions: In the study group, excessive fat consumption (i.e.,saturated fatty acids) and dietary fiber deficiency were found in the daily diet.
Keywords: diet; lifestyle; physical activity; smoking; type 2 diabetes mellitus.