Behavioral science research in diabetes - Lifestyle changes related to obesity, eating behavior, and physical activity

Lifestyle factors related to obesity, eating behavior, and physical activit y play a major role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. In recent years, there has been progress in the development of behavioral stra tegies to modify these lifestyle behaviors. Further research, however, is c learly needed, because the rates of obesity in our country are escalating, and changing behavior for the long term has proven to be very difficult. Th is review article, which grew out of a National Institute of Diabetes and D igestive and Kidney Diseases conference on behavioral science research in d iabetes, identifies four key topics related to obesity and physical activit y that should be given high priority in future research efforts: 1) environ mental factors related to obesity, eating, and physical activity; 2) adopti on and maintenance of healthful eating, physical activity, and weight; 3) e tiology of eating and physical activity; and 4) multiple behavior changes. This review article discusses the significance of each of these four topics , briefly reviews prior research in each area, identifies barriers to progr ess, and makes specific research recommendations.