Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, contributing to chronic hyperglycemia and long-term complications (1). The global prevalence of T2DM has been rising steadily, with projections estimating that over 640 million people will be affected by 2040 (2). Effective glycemic control is essential in reducing the risk of microvascular and macrovascular complications, and lifestyle modification remains a cornerstone of diabetes management alongside pharmacotherapy (3).

Lifestyle interventions—comprising dietary regulation, physical activity, weight management, and smoking cessation—have shown considerable benefits in improving metabolic outcomes and reducing HbA1c levels in individuals with T2DM (4). Guidelines by the American Diabetes Association and the World Health Organization emphasize the importance of individualized lifestyle counseling in both preventing and managing diabetes, particularly when initiated early in the disease course (5,6).

General practice clinics serve as a primary point of contact for chronic disease care and thus are well-positioned to implement structured lifestyle interventions. However, in many settings, lifestyle counseling is underutilized or inconsistently delivered due to time constraints, inadequate training, and lack of follow-up mechanisms (7). Studies have demonstrated that repeated and personalized counseling sessions within primary care can lead to improved patient adherence, enhanced self-management skills, and significant improvements in glycemic control (8,9).

Despite this evidence, the integration of lifestyle counseling in routine diabetes care in general practice remains suboptimal, especially in low- and middle-income countries. There is a growing need to evaluate the real-world impact of structured lifestyle interventions delivered by general practitioners and allied health professionals.

The present study aims to assess the impact of structured lifestyle counseling on glycemic control among patients with T2DM managed in general practice settings, using changes in HbA1c levels as the primary outcome.

A total of 200 adult patients (aged 30–70 years) with confirmed T2DM (diagnosed ≥6 months prior) and baseline HbA1c levels ≥7.0% were enrolled. Patients on insulin therapy or with serious comorbidities (e.g., chronic kidney disease, active cancer) were excluded. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group (n = 100) that received structured lifestyle counseling in addition to standard care, and a control group (n = 100) that continued to receive standard care alone.

Intervention Protocol

The intervention group participated in monthly face-to-face lifestyle counseling sessions conducted by trained general practitioners and dietitians. Each session lasted 30–40 minutes and focused on four key components: dietary modification, physical activity, stress reduction, and tobacco/alcohol cessation. Patients were also given written educational materials and individualized goals.

Control Group

Patients in the control group received routine diabetes management, which included physician follow-ups and pharmacological treatment, but without structured lifestyle guidance.

Outcome Measures

The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c levels from baseline to the end of six months. Secondary outcomes included self-reported adherence to dietary recommendations and physical activity levels.

Data Collection and Monitoring

Baseline data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including demographics, diabetes duration, current medications, dietary habits, and physical activity. HbA1c was measured at baseline and at 6 months using a standardized laboratory method.

Statistical Analysis

Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic variables. Paired t-tests were applied to compare within-group changes in HbA1c, while independent t-tests were used for between-group comparisons. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant

A total of 200 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study, with equal distribution in both the intervention group (n = 100) and the control group (n = 100). The mean age of participants was 54.6 ± 9.1 years, and 52% were male. Baseline characteristics including age, gender, diabetes duration, and baseline HbA1c levels were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05) (Table 1).

Table 1: Baseline Characteristics of Study Participants (n = 200)

After six months, a significant improvement in glycemic control was observed in the intervention group. The mean HbA1c reduced from 8.4% ± 1.1 to 7.2% ± 0.9 (p < 0.001), while the control group showed a minimal change from 8.3% ± 1.2 to 8.1% ± 1.1 (p = 0.08). Between-group comparison at six months revealed a statistically significant difference in HbA1c levels (p < 0.001) (Table 2).

Table 2: Change in HbA1c Levels at 6 Months

Furthermore, 62% of patients in the intervention group achieved HbA1c <7.0% at the end of six months, compared to only 28% in the control group (p < 0.001). Self-reported adherence to dietary plans and physical activity also improved significantly in the intervention group, with 78% reporting regular exercise (vs. 42% in controls) and 70% reporting consistent dietary adherence (vs. 38% in controls) (Table 3).

Table 3: Adherence to Lifestyle Modifications at 6 Months

These results suggest that structured lifestyle counseling, when implemented in general practice, significantly improves glycemic outcomes and patient adherence to healthy behaviors.

DISCUSSION

This study demonstrates that structured lifestyle counseling significantly improves glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) when delivered in general practice settings. The intervention group achieved a substantial reduction in HbA1c levels over six months compared to the control group, confirming the effectiveness of behavioral modification strategies in routine primary care.

Lifestyle management remains a fundamental component of diabetes care, as supported by international guidelines (1,2). Several clinical trials have shown that diet modification, increased physical activity, and weight management can improve glycemic control and even delay disease progression in T2DM (3,4). Our findings align with the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which reported that lifestyle changes reduced the incidence of diabetes by 58% among high-risk individuals (5).

In our study, patients receiving monthly lifestyle counseling showed a mean HbA1c reduction of 1.2%, which is both clinically and statistically significant. This is consistent with prior reports indicating HbA1c reductions between 0.5% and 1.5% following structured lifestyle interventions (6,7). Unlike medication adjustments, lifestyle improvements also contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction and enhanced quality of life (8,9).

The improvement in physical activity and dietary adherence observed in the intervention group highlights the role of personalized, repeated counseling sessions. Previous studies have shown that ongoing behavioral support improves patient adherence and leads to sustained glycemic benefits (10,11). The greater adherence to exercise and dietary recommendations in our intervention group reflects the importance of interactive and motivational strategies in behavior change (12).

In contrast, the control group—receiving only standard care—showed minimal HbA1c improvement, underscoring the limitations of routine follow-ups without focused lifestyle guidance. These findings are echoed in primary care settings globally, where time constraints and lack of structured education limit the implementation of lifestyle interventions (13,14).

The high proportion of patients achieving HbA1c <7.0% in the intervention group (62%) demonstrates that even modest support at the general practice level can have a major impact. With the growing burden of diabetes worldwide, especially in resource-limited settings, incorporating lifestyle counseling into primary care workflows could serve as a low-cost and effective strategy (15).

Structured lifestyle counseling significantly improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes when integrated into general practice. Incorporating personalized behavioral support into routine care can enhance diabetes outcomes and promote long-term self-management.

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