The application of a self-regulation model for dietary intake and exercise to control blood sugar of type II diabetic patients

Abstract

ABSTRACT Diabetes is a disease that has been experiencing a continuous increase in terms of pervasiveness. Controlling diet and exercise is critical for controlling blood sugar and reducing long-term complications. This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the effects of a dietary and exercise promotion program to control the blood sugar of diabetic patients. Thirty patients were stratified by gender and randomly selected from three consecutive days at the diabetes clinic with ten patients per day. They were required to participate in the study program for eight weeks. The program was developed based on a self-regulation model to control chronic diseases. Similarity among patients regarding gender, age, years of having diabetes, and blood sugar level was considered before the study group was recruited. A self-administered questionnaire and blood sugar test were used to collect pretest and posttest data. The data were analyzed by percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, and Paired sample t-test. The findings concluded the effectiveness of the program since the blood sugar levels of the experimental group decreased significantly from a high level (162.3 mg/dl) to a nearly controllable level (128.9 mg/dl) (p < .01). This was due to the experimental group having more appropriate dietary and exercise behaviors, having better knowledge and perceived self-efficacy to perform the behaviors than before the experiment, and being better than the control group (p < .01). The self-regulation theory application model developed in this study was recommended for modification of health behaviors related to setting desired goal behaviors and glycemic control of type-2 diabetes patients.