Change of lifestyle factors in the management of diabetes: A sociological study

Pages: 476-481
Swati Sharma (Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand )
Neena Rosey Kahlon (Department of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab )

Lifestyle diseases like Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) are on rise these days. It is known as lifestyle disease because its occurrence is mainly attributed to the sluggish and sedentary lifestyle, and being chronic in nature, it is not curable but manageable. So, its management also involves a good deal of change in the style of living. Usage of the term lifestyle in the context of T2DM is different from the Adlerian concept that uses it in psychiatric terms; here it is mainly related to the consumption set of the respondents. The objective of the present study is to explore lifestyle patterns of the dwellers of Srinagar city before the diagnose of the T2DM and the changes in their pattern of living which follow its onset. The study employs exploratory research design, and purposive random sampling method is used to collect data. Unstructured interview schedule and quasi participant observation formed main tools of data collection during research. This study, which was conducted on seventy eight respondents, showed that the respondents had to change the style of their eating; had to subtract many things which formed a part of their daily meals; and physical workout became quintessential for T2DM management. It also unearthed various socially constructed myths about the disease which were consequential in the attainment of sick role.