Diabetes - Impact of Lifestyle on Blood Glucose Levels in Individuals with Diabetes
Mateusz Pawlak
2026-03-24
2 min. read
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Lifestyle encompasses the set of typical behaviors that significantly influence the health of individuals with diabetes. Patients must consistently monitor blood glucose levels, adhere to scheduled meals, and follow prescribed medication regimens. The WHO classifies diabetes not as a single disease but as a group of conditions characterized by elevated blood sugar. To prevent complications such as damage to the eyes, kidneys, or heart, people with diabetes should maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Diabetes and the Diet
According to the recommendations of the Polish Diabetes Association, the dietary treatment of people with diabetes mellitus (130/80 mmHg or 125/75 mmH) should be based on maintaining the optimal levels of glucose in the blood (total glucose cholesterol < 4 mmol/ l) or lipoprotein (LDL and TG < 2 mmol / l) in the serum, normal body weight, optimal blood pressure levels (hyperglycemic acid) or on the diet of many people with low blood sugar, glucose micronutrients, white blood glucose, or glucose.
Diabetes and obesity
According to the World Health Organization, there are four types of diabetes. The first type is caused by an immune process or has unknown causes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with impaired insulin secretion and reduced sensitivity to this hormone in peripheral tissues, such as skeletal muscles, heart, liver, adipose tissue, and others. Type 3 diabetes has a known etiology, e.g. due to a genetic defect in the functioning of the pancreas beta cells, disease in the intestines that will provide the extract of insulin. Type 4 diabetes is diabetes. Obesity is the main risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes and lifestyle
According to scientific studies, lifestyle changes that take into account physical activity, a reduction in the daily energy intake of the diet, and therefore a targeted reduction of 5% of body weight over 4 years, contribute to a decrease in the incidence of diabetes in obese people with an abnormal glucose tolerance of 58%. In diabetics, there is often an increase in lipid intake, resulting in cardiovascular disease. Reduction in body weight can lead to a lowering of total cholesterol, a slight increase in the concentration of HDL in fatty acids.
Diabetes and physical activity
The best sport in people with diabetes is aerobic exercise (glucose is burned in the presence of oxygen) which includes e.g. fast walking, running, cycling, swimming, rowing. In people with type 2 diabetes aged > 65 years and/or over, fast walking is recommended 35 times a week (approx. 150 minutes a week). For diabetics with existing insulin, obesity is recommended, whether physical activity promoting dynamic exercise and fitness is recommended.