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ABSTRACT Lifestyle modification is a therapy, in which
appropriate diet is combined withaerobic exercise. It is
reported to control and reduce macrovascular complicationsand
have other beneficial effects in diabetic patients. This study
was designed toascertain the value of diet and exercise health
education program in non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus(
NIDDM) patients. An experimental design was used. Sixty
patients at metabolic clinic of oneprivate medical center were
randomly assigned to experimental group (n=30) andcontrol group(
n=30). The diet and exercise health education program with beha-
vioral modification strategies was taught on experimental group,
then practiced it athome and record their diet and exercise
diary for 2 months, whereas control groupreceived conventional
nursing care. During weeks 1 and 9, patient's diabetesknowledge,
attitude, behavior, glycosylated hemoglobin level, body weight,
andserum lipid level were assessed. In addition, during weeks 5
and 13, patient'sglycosylated hemoglobin level were assessed.
The results showed as follows: (1) There was no significant
difference indemographic data between two groups. (2)
Experimental group presented impro-vement of diabetes knowledge,
attitude, and behavior. (3) Experimental groupdemonstrated
improvement of body weight. (4) Experimental proup
demonstratedimprovemnt of glycosylated hemoglobin level. (5)
Experimental group demons-trated improvement of serum lipid
level. (6) The improvement of body weight,glycosylated
hemoglobin level, and serum lipid level on experimental group
wererelated with the improvement of diabetes knowledge,
attitude, and behavior. In conclusion, diet and exercise
education are effective in diabetes control andreduction of
macrovascular risk factors.
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