Exercise is widely recognized as a crucial component in the management of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), but little is known about actual exercise practices in this group. This study investigated exercise habits in 60 persons with NIDDM and 60 nondiabetic significant others. Despite the importance of exercise, most of the persons with NIDDM in our study were not exercising regularly, and the percent of persons exercising regularly was no greater in the diabetic group than in the group of significant others. Although those with NIDDM reported more frequent discussion about exercise with health care professionals, only 25% reported receiving specific guidelines for exercise. Diabetic respondents reported a greater number of relapse or dropout episodes than did the nondiabetic significant others, and relapse was associated with increased guilt. Persons with NIDDM appear to receive recommendations to exercise without instruction on exercise maintenance strategies, resulting in more failed attempts to exercise, and increased guilt. Interventions shown to be effective for increasing exercise maintenance need to be incorporated into the diabetic regimen.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether (a) symptoms of depression are more prevalent and severe among diabetic smokers than diabetic nonsmokers, (b) smoking is related to depressive symptomatology among diabetic patients, and (c) there is a positive relationship between number of cigarettes smoked and severity of depressive symptoms. Diabetic non-smokers (n = 103) and diabetic smokers (n = 83) were surveyed regarding symptoms of depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Depressive symptomatology was more prevalent and severe among smokers than nonsmokers. Smoking was significantly associated with depressive symptomatology. Among smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was independently associated with cognitive symptoms of depression.

The purpose of this study was to address the following questions: 1) Do smokers with diabetes believe that cigarettes have favorable outcomes associated with diabetes management? 2) Do smokers with diabetes believe that quitting smoking negatively impacts diabetes management? 3) Do smokers with diabetes perceive significant others as being supportive of attempts to quit smoking? and 4) What is the relationship between these factors and attitude toward quitting smoking? Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) completed a measure of Attitude Toward Quitting Smoking, which assessed desire and confidence in ability to achieve cessation, and the Diabetes and Smoking Beliefs Questionnaire, which assessed beliefs regarding cigarettes and diabetes management. Smokers whose attitudes reflected less desire to quit and less confidence in doing so reported that cigarettes had utility in diabetes management, that quitting has negative effects on diabetes, and perceived significant others as only moderately supportive of attempts to quit smoking. Implications of these findings for diabetes education are discussed.

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