Diabetes Outreach Network
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO DIABETES FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

Chapter 16
Special Issues: Behavior Change

How to Help Your Clients Change Their Behavior

Determine what your client wants to change:

• If client does not want to alter health threatening behavior, assist them with determining personal benefits of changing.
• Those who desire change may need help with:
  • Setting goals (i.e. maintain fasting blood glucose between 80 and 120 mg/dl)
  • Breaking goal into easy to follow steps. For example to achieve blood glucose goals they could:
    • Meet with a dietitian for assistance with meal planning.
    • Start walking 10 minutes, 3x per week.
    • Join a diabetes support group
    • Continue learning about diabetes
  • Knowing how to problem solve (How will you maintain healthy habits when you go on vacation?)
  • Developing a support system (and dealing with people who may undermine success)
  • Managing stress (Uncontrolled stress often causes a person to return to unhealthy behavior)
  • Developing behavioral change strategies (such as eating only in the kitchen)

References:
American Diabetes Association (2006). Clinical Practice Recommendations. Diabetes Care. Supplement. Vol 29.