Perceived Barriers to Healthy Lifestyle Adherence and Associated Factors Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Implications for Improved Self-Care.

Background: Many patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) face barriers to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This study investigated the perceived barriers to healthy eating and physical activity and compared them by demographic and diabetes-related characteristics among patients with T2DM.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 534 patients with T2DM attending primary healthcare centers in Hail City from January to June 2023. Data analyzed at a significance level of <0.05.

Results: Barriers to healthy eating and physical activity were perceived by 34.9% and 28% of patients, re-spectively. Personal and environmental barriers to healthy eating were perceived more frequently than social barriers (43.0% and 26.9%, respectively). Personal and environmental barriers to physical activity were perceived by 28.0% of patients, followed by social barriers (27.9%). The most frequently perceived barrier to healthy eating was a lack of motivation (61.6%), followed by insufficient information about healthy diets (32.2%). Regarding physical activity, a lack of motivation was the most frequently perceived personal barrier (32.0%), while a lack of a supportive work environment was the most frequently perceived social barrier (33.7%). Patients who were aged between 30 and 40 years, were highly educated, were diagnosed with DM within less than five years, and used insulin injections as a strategy to manage DM reported significantly higher levels of perceived barriers to healthy eating compared to their counterparts. In contrast, patients who were female, married, had poor financial status, and used insulin injections reported significantly higher levels of perceived barriers to physical activity compared to their counterparts.

Conclusion: Over one-third of patients with T2DM seeking medical care in Hail City perceive barriers to healthy eating, mainly a lack of motivation, insufficient diet information. Educational programs that consider the unique characteristics of patients should be developed.