Health-Promoting Lifestyle in Patients with and without Diabetes in Iran

Background Diabetes is among the prevalent chronic non-communicable diseases, which in recent decades has dragged much attentions toward improving care of patients in Iran. Objectives The current study aimed to compare the health-promoting lifestyle of patients with and without diabetes. Methods In the current study, 150 patients with diabetes and 150 patients without diabetes referred to the Imam Hossein subspecialty Clinic in Shahroud in 2014 were enrolled. Data collection tools included a 52-item lifestyle questionnaire and a 22-item nutritional behavior and dietary habits questionnaire. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and conditional multiple logistic regression. Results The mean score of nutritional behavior in patients with and without diabetes were 20.9 ± 3.9 and 19.9 ± 4.1, respectively. Over 75% of the patients with diabetes had not passed the training course. The results of multivariate model showed the odds of having diabetes in people with obesity was 2.6 times more than that of the people with normal weight. Interpersonal relationship, stress management, physical activity and nutrition scores in patients with diabetes were significantly lower than those of the patients without diabetes (P < 0.05). Negative relationship was observed between physical activity and diabetes (odds ratio (OR) = 0.916; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.850-0.987). Conclusions Patients with diabetes need more attention and care to manage diabetes to change their lifestyle to adjust with their conditions. Stress management, improved interpersonal relationships, physical activity and diet in this group can have a role to control the disease.