Barriers to diet and exercise among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Basrah hospitals

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is growing health concern globally, particularly in the Middle East. To encourage individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle essential for managing diabetes, it is imperative to thoroughly understand the barriers, especially those that can be modified, encountered by patients following nutritional and exercise medical advice. Aim: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the barriers related to nutrition and exercise among patients with T2DM in hospitals located in Basrah. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 194 adults with history of T2DM who were visiting the outpatient departments of internal medicine in four selected hospitals in Basrah. Data was collected using a specially prepared questionnaire administered through direct interviews with the diabetic patients by the investigators. The questionnaire encompassed general information about the participant and barriers to diet and exercise among patients with T2DM. Results: Most of the participants were aged 40 years and older (82.5%). Approximately 46.9% of the participants adhered to their doctor’s dietary recommendations. Only 20.6% of the diabetic patients engaged in physical exercise. Among non-adherent patients with T2DM, the most frequently reported barriers to nutrition included a lack of preference for the recommended diet (86.4%), lack of motivation (57.2%), and lack of knowledge (52.4%). The most commonly cited barriers to exercise were lack of energy (87.0%), lack of willpower (81.8%), lack of skill (77.9%), and fear of injury (73.3%). Conclusion: The study revealed that the compliance of diabetic patients to dietary and exercise recommendations was low. Therefore, it is crucial for health professionals to proactively address the mentioned barriers, and policymakers should design active nutritional practice guidelines for patients with T2DM.