Lifestyle Modification in the Prevention of Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is one of the most widely prevalent diseases with an increasing incidence worldwide. Recent estimates indicate that there were 285 million people aged 20-79 years throughout the world with diabetes in the year 2010, and this number is projected to increase to 439 million by 2030.1 The diabetic population in Pakistan is very high, ranking at number 7 among countries where high number of diabetic cases have been reported.2 in 2007, there were 6.9 million diabetic patients in Pakistan, which is expected to rise by 11.5 million by 2025 according to the International diabetic foundation.2 Good glycemic control can be considered as the cornerstone management in the prevention of diabetic complications. However, it is sometimes difficult for the patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle as standardized, resulting in suboptimal effect and minimal benefit of diabetes therapy due to increased insulin resistance and decreased glucose control, and subsequent diabetic complications.3 WHO recommended that adherence to the medications can promote the population’s health and minimize long-term complications of the disease.4 Lifestyle variables include meal habits, exercise state, drinking state and smoking state. Modification in these factors would result in improved compliance towards hypoglycemic agents.