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Realities of Living with Both Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity in Relation to Self-Management from a Clients Perspective

Thursday, 10 July 2008: 11:10 AM
Aileen Burton, RGN, BNS, MSc , Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Ireland, Cork, Ireland
Vivien Coates, PhD , Nursing, University of Ulster at Coleraine, Coleraine, Ireland
Mary Linehan, RGN, Post, Grad, Dip(Diabetes, Nursing), Dip, Health , Diabetes Centre, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland, Cork, Ireland
Marie Heffernan, RGN, HDip, Diabetes, Nursing, PGCert, Nurse, Pescrib , Diabetes Centre, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland, Cork, Ireland
Sineaid Lillis, RGN, H, Dip(Diabetes, Nursing) , Diabetes Centre, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland, Cork, Ireland

Learning Objective 1: understand the challenges faced by diabetics who are obese

Learning Objective 2: explore what this client group need to manage both their diabetes and obesity more effectively

Obesity in Europe has grown by 10% and up to 50% in some countries in the last ten years (Department of health and children DOHC, 2005). Rates in Ireland are 14.4% for men and 11.8% for women (DOHC, 2005). These figures are expected to increase by at least 1% every year. Obesity in type 2 diabetes is a two fold problem as it affects both physical and psychological well-being. The management of type 2 diabetes frequently leads to weight gain as this is the result of the most effective treatments (Clark, 2004).

The objectives are to explore the realities of living with both type two diabetes and obesity. A qualitative, descriptive study was used. Individual taped semi-structured interviews took place with ten type 2 diabetics with a BMI over 30 kg/m2.

The interview topic guide included the following:

o Does weight hinder diabetes management

o How they feel about their weight/size - does it impact on their lives

o Self management of diabetes and weight – positives/negatives

o Managing diabetes – motivators

o Priorities in relation to managing diabetes and weight at present

Data is currently being analysed using the Miles and Huberman (1994) framework. As obesity and diabetes are related, gaining an understanding of how patients manage these two conditions has the potential to enable a better outcome of care for patients. It is hoped then that patients will have improved quality of life, reduced hospital admissions, and reduced hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic episodes and a reduced risk of having diabetic related complications.

Clark, M. (2004) Is weight loss a realistic goal in type 2 diabetes? The implications of restraint theory. Patient Education and Counselling 53 277-283.

Department of Health and Children (2005) Obesity: The Policy Challenges – Ireland.

Miles, M. and Huberman (1994) Qualitative Data Analysis (2nd Ed). Thousand Oaks, Sage

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