Eureka! Institutional Repository

Aim: The purpose of the research is to collect data and evaluate knowledge and daily manipulations of diabetes type 2 patients, on diet and exercise, two very important axes, contributing to treatment of the disease. Methodology: The investigation of knowledge, practices and physical exercise of diabetes type 2 patients, was searched out by using a questionnaire (1. Brief diabetes knowledge test, 2. Med diet score, 3. ORTO-R, 4. IPAQ short self-answered-8 items) after taking permission from the scientific committee of the hospital and patients who participated in the research. One hundred and three diabetic patients type 2 participated in this study (42 men and 61 women). Their age ranged from 29 to 83 years (mean ±SD 54). The majority were married and obese (38,24%). Results: According to this study, 67% of patients had moderate general knowledge, 17.48% had low general knowledge and 15.53% had high general knowledge about diabetes. Regarding proper eating practices and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, patients who participated in the study had relatively good compliance, an average value of 67%. Eating behavior seems to have a tendency to abnormal eating behavior, as the participants achieved an average value of 34.69, under 40, which indicates a tendency of abnormal eating behavior, possibly related to stress. Finally, physical activity seemed to be extremely low. Conclusions: It is essential to improve knowledge on issues related to type 2 diabetes. The results may have been more encouraging than other researches , however they continue to be moderate. It is essential that further information , psychological support and care be provided by health professionals. Finally, it is important to encourage patients to exercise as the results were extremely low.