Type 2 Diabetics Ignore Doctors' Advice

Filed in archive Lifestyle on January 27, 2007

Many doctors claim that their Type 2 diabetes patients ignore the advice offered to them: namely, to eat healthier and exercise. Since Type 2 diabetes is a disease that can be greatly improved or even put into 'remission' by following this exact advice, this news is troubling.

Fewer than 40 percent get exercise, a new study found, and the more in danger the patients are, the less likely they are to be active.

That's despite an earlier study that found nearly three-quarters of diabetics said their doctors had advised them to exercise. The patients who got the strongest warnings to get moving were the least likely to listen, according to research being released today.

"People should exercise more, that story is out," said Dr. Elaine Morrato, who led both studies. "What we're saying is, `Here's a high-risk population that can benefit from exercise, and they're even less likely to exercise.' "

Why do you think people are unwilling to change, even if their health is at stake?