NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many US adults with type 2 diabetes are not exercising regularly or eating the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, study findings show.

"Perhaps persons with diabetes in the United States would experience fewer consequences of their disease if they adhere more closely to physical activity and dietary recommendations," study author Dr. Edward J. Boyko of VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, Washington, told Reuters Health.

He and his colleagues analyzed data from 1,480 adults with type 2 diabetes who were involved in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Overall, almost one third (31%) of adults--particularly lower-income individuals, older people and those without a high school diploma--did not report regular participation in any physical activity, survey findings indicate.

Further, slightly more than 60% of the respondents reported eating fewer than five daily servings of fruits and vegetables and nearly 7 out of every 10 individuals said that more than 30% of their daily calories were from fat. Mexican Americans and seniors over the age of 65 reported consuming diets lower in fat and eating more fruits and vegetables than did their peers.

These survey results show "that there's a lot of room for improvements," Boyko said.

He recommends that diabetics first consult their physicians before making great changes in their physical activity levels, to avoid any negative consequences. "But almost anyone can change their diet," he said. In doing so, diabetics can "possibly improve their general health and possibly their diabetes control," he said.

The study findings were presented earlier this month during the American Diabetes Association's 62nd Scientific Sessions held in San Francisco, California.

Reference Source 89

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