Willingness of people with type 2 diabetes to engage in healthy eating, physical activity and medication taking

Abstract

Aim: To assess the willingness of people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to engage in healthy eating, physical activity and medication taking, and explore associated patient factors.

Methods: Online survey among recently diagnosed T2D patients recruited in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK). Patient factors included general factors and behaviour-specific beliefs. Logistic regression analyses and explorative comparisons were conducted.

Results: Overall, 48% of 67 patients were willing to engage in all three management options, whereas 6% were not willing to follow any of them. 73% were willing to manage T2D with healthy eating, 73% with physical activity, and 72% with medication. Country of recruitment was significantly associated with willingness for healthy eating, with higher willingness among Dutch participants. Beliefs surrounding capability, opportunity, and motivation were significantly associated with willingness to engage in physical activity and medication taking. Many beliefs were similar regardless of willingness but those willing to engage in physical activity perceived less barriers and those willing to take medication had more positive and less negative outcome beliefs than those not willing.

Conclusions: Willingness to engage in all management options was limited among recently diagnosed patients, and partly associated with behaviour-specific patient beliefs.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus type 2; Diet; Exercise; Medication; Patients’ beliefs.