Family functioning is related to health behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

In 2014, 8.5% of people worldwide over the age of 18 had type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is estimated that, in recent years, the prevalence of this disease has increased mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Health behaviors are considered fundamental in the prevention, treatment, and control of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an association between health behaviors and satisfaction with family functioning in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This is an observational, transversal, analytical study. In the Family Medicine Unit No.33 in Chihuahua, Mexico, 297 patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified. Data was collected regarding sex, age and the Instrument for Measuring Lifestyles in Diabetics (IMEVID, for its acronym in Spanish) and the Family APGAR. We found that of the total number of patients, 91.6% presented some degree of unfavorable health behaviors, while 92.6% presented some type of family dysfunction. The categorical analysis positively correlated good family functionality with favorable health behaviors, Fisher's exact test p [Med-Science 2017; 6(4.000): 659-662]

Keywords

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• health behavior
• Family dynamics
• lifestyles
• nutrition
• physical activity