Patient perspective on factors contributing to nonadherence to diabetes regimen

This study assessed levels of regimen adherence and reasons for nonadherence to different aspects of diabetes regimen for persons with type I (insulin-dependent, N = 24) and type II (non-insulin-dependent, N = 184) diabetes. Standardized questions revealed few differences between type I and type II participants on either levels of reported adherence or reasons for nonadherence. Subjects reported adhering least well to dietary and physical activity components of the regimen. Open-ended questions revealed that the most common reasons for dietary nonadherence were the situational factors of eating out at restaurants and inappropriate food offers from others. In contrast, negative physical reactions were the most frequently reported reasons for exercise nonadherence. The implications of these findings for diabetes education are discussed.