Evidence-Based Practice Project—Paper on Diabetes

Diabetes type-2 is turning out to be common among adults and young people. Unfortunately, therapeutic interventions remain extremely limited. Data concerning the most effective treatment modality and appropriate glycemic target, as well as the management of associated comorbidities, is limited. Management of diabetes for children is usually carried out in specialty tertiary care pediatric centers. Management of diabetes in adults, on the other hand, is conducted in specialty adult care centers. In these centers, care providers focus on the pathophysiological aspects of this disorder.

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Little attention is given to lifestyle modification to improve the health of the patient. This indicates that further research is needed to determine the most effective way of treating diabetes in adults. This paper proposes a lifestyle modification of nutritional and activity habits as an effective intervention for diabetes treatment in adults. An evaluation of an evidence-based article by Asif (2014) will be performed to generate information to support the proposed intervention.

Summary of Evidence-Based Article

Asif (2014) made it clear that besides diabetes being a major non-communicable disease it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The author pointed out that diabetes predisposes individuals to the risk of stroke, hypertension, nerve damage, kidney disease, and other chronic disorders. Asif (2014) asserted that even though the risk of diabetes increases significantly among individuals aged 50 years and above, the risk can be reduced through minor changes in lifestyle. To prevent and facilitate the treatment of diabetes among adults, there is a need to take action on the modifiable factors which influence its dietary habits and development lifestyle.

The researcher noted that physical inactivity and poor dietary patterns are the main contributors to the increasing burden of diabetes globally. The implementation of lifestyle modification can, therefore, reduce the burden of disease related to diabetes. Asif (2014) conducted a comprehensive review of the literature to generate information that can support the idea of integrating lifestyle modification into the treatment plan for diabetes. Information obtained from the review revealed that dietary modification can achieve optimal blood glucose concentrations, provide an individual with appropriate energy for normal growth and reasonable weight, besides delaying and improving the treatment of diabetes and its complications. For instance, Gao, Gao, and Xue (2016) noted that the main beneficial impact of the dietary pattern on glucose metabolism and dietary pattern and traditional food pattern is a significant reduction in the risk of diabetes. The diet of diabetic people, as well as those at risk, should contain sufficient fruits and vegetables, whole grains, vegetable oils, and high fiber foods (Tuso, 2014).

The article by Asif (2014) also highlighted the importance of physical activity. The researchers noted that inactivity increases the risk of diabetes and other lifestyle disorders such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Asif (2014) made it clear that exercise improves the body capacity to take up extra glucose in the body. Participation in physical exercises improves weight loss initiatives besides controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Then people at risk of diabetes, as noted by Asif (2014) should take part in aerobic exercise programs to decrease the need for insulin, improve their physical health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Some of the physical exercise activities that have been identified in the article include brisk walking, jogging, weight lifting, running, and digging. It is, however, advisable for individuals to engage in physical activities that do not increase their risk of injury.

Significance to Nursing Practice

The information contained in the article by Asif (2014) is relevant to nursing practice since it provides guidance on what a lifestyle modification program for diabetes should contain. The article has identified physical activity and poor diet as the main contributors to an increased risk of diabetes and other lifestyle disorders. The article has identified physical activity and dietary modification as the main components of lifestyle modification. In most cases, nurses just administer metformin to patients diagnosed with diabetes (Tuso, 2014). Even though these professionals understand the importance of lifestyle modification in the management of diabetes, they do not advise the patients accordingly. The information on lifestyle change provided to the patients is usually shallow and does not address crucial factors. Nurses can, therefore, integrate the information provided by Asif (2014) into the treatment plan for people with diabetes to improve the outcome of care. They can also use this information to develop a dietary plan for the people at risk of diabetes.

Conclusion

It is unfortunate that even though diabetes type-2 is turning out to be common among adults and young people, therapeutic interventions remain extremely limited. Lifestyle modification of nutritional and activity habits is one of the effective interventions for diabetes in adults. Lifestyle modification comprises increased physical activity and consumption of healthy foods. Lifestyle intervention can be integrated into the treatment plan for diabetes to improve the outcome of care.