Diabetes is a disease that affects your ability to transport blood glucose into the working cells of your body. The American Diabetes Association reports that an estimated 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. This translates to a whopping 7.8 percent of the total population, notes the ADA. Diabetes can be particularly hard to control because changing your diet is essential to controlling the disease. Several factors can help or hinder compliance to the diet of someone with diabetes.
Education
Educating yourself on your diseases and conditions should be an important part of disease management. According to the July 2002 issue of "Diabetes Care," in a study conducted by Dr. Susan Norris and colleagues, diabetes management was better received by patients who received intervention education. Diabetes management includes dietary compliance and behavioral changes. When a patient is educated, he has the ability and know-how to self-manage the disease.
Depression
Anytime a person is depressed, it can become an obstacle for improved self-care. According to a November 2000 article in the "Archives of Internal Medicine," Dr. Paul S. Ciechanowski and colleagues researched the impact of depression on self-care and dietary diabetes management. They found that highly depressed individuals are less likely to comply with self-care diabetes management, including diet.
Social Support
Self-motivation can often be short-lived in a person dieting or changing habitual behaviors. Having family or friends for support can help keep the motivation going. According to a study led by Eugenia Garay-Sevilla that was published in 2000 in the journal "Science Direct," adherence to diabetic treatment that includes dietary compliance is directly associated with a social support system.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Statistics
- "Diabetes Care"; Self-Management Education for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes; Susan L. Norris, M.D., et al.; July 2002
- "Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications"; Adherence to Treatment and Social Support in Patients With Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus; Eugenia Garay-Sevilla et al.; 2000
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Adherence, Function and Costs; Paul S. Ciechanowski, M.D., et al.; 2000
