The Effects of Diet and Exercise on HbA1c Levels in patients with Type 2 Diabetes under Oral Antidiabetic Treatment

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of diet and exercise on diabetes control in type 2 diabetics (NIDDM) who use only oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD). Methods: 217 patients with the diagnosis of NIDDM and using OAD, who admitted to family medicine outpatient clinic between December 2012 and February 2013, were included in the study. Patients were divided into four groups according to their regular diet and exercise. Group 1: Only dieting, Group 2: Only exercising, Group 3: Both dieting and exercising, Group 4: Neither dieting nor exercising. Age, duration of diabetes, body mass index (BMI) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were compared between groups. Results: The mean age of patients participating in the study was 54.5 +/- 10.0 years (p=0.878). 62.7% were women and 37.3% were men. The median duration of diabetes, mean BMI, median HbA1c levels were 36 months, 30.2 +/- 4.6 kg/m(2) and 7.1. Statistically significant difference was not detected (diabetes duration; p=0.188, BMI; p=0,163 and HbA1c; p=0,290). Median HbA1c levels of groups were 7.0; 7.3; 6.8 and 7.2 respectively. No other difference was observed in the other comparisons between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: There are positive effects of diet and exercise on diabetes control in type 2 diabetics who use only OAD. Diet and exercise have better control in diabetes patients on OAD. However these effects are more noticeable in patients who tackle implement diet and exercise together.