Making lifestyle changes for persons with diabetes can be challenging. However, to achieve metabolic control for many persons with diabetes, changes in nutrition and physical activity are essential. In the past, nutrition and exercise recommendations have been rigid and have allowed for little flexibility; however, there is no longer one set of guidelines that applies to all persons with diabetes. By individualizing treatment and focusing on metabolic outcomes, health care professionals can assist persons with diabetes to make lifestyle changes and to achieve metabolic goals.

Traditional dietary advice has been to avoid sugar and to lose weight. However, individuals with diabetes have usually found this advice difficult, if not impossible, to follow and have therefore abandoned all attempts at making lifestyle changes. Individuals may lose weight, but the majority are unable to maintain long-term weight loss.<sup>20 Foreyt J.P. Evidence for success of behavior modification in weight loss control Ann Intern Med 1993 ;  119 : 698-701

Cliquez ici pour aller à la section Références</sup> The benefits of physical activity are often ignored. Current evidence suggests that a number of lifestyle strategies that individuals are more likely to make can assist in achieving metabolic goals. This article reviews nutrition and physical activity strategies that may be more helpful than previous advice.