Type 2-diabetes. Sociale relationer og sundhedsadfaerd

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that challenges the Danish health care system and health behaviour is important in connection with rehabilitation. Foreign research shows that social relations are associated with a healthy lifestyle, but this effect has not yet been examined thoroughly based on Danish data. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between social relations and health behaviour among adult Danes with type 2 diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional and based on data from the report ''Sundheds- og Sygelighedsundersøgelsen 2000'', published by The National Institute of Public Health; 264 respondents with type 2 diabetes were included in the final study population. Social relations were measured in terms of civil status, social contact and functional network. Health behaviour reflects whether the respondents comply with the official Danish recommendations for physical activity, diet, alcohol and smoking. Adjustments were made for sex, age, income, self-rated health, functional ability, stress and Body Mass Index.

RESULTS: Social relations measured as civil status and functional network are positively associated with adherence to the recommendations for physical activity and diet. Only the association between functional network and diet remains significant when adjusted for the effects of co-variates.

CONCLUSION: The study shows a need for the promotion of health behaviour among adult Danes with type 2 diabetes, and indicates that social relations ought to be part of rehabilitation.