Empowering people through diet and lifestyle in type 2 diabetes management

Dietary change, physical activity, weight management and self-management education are fundamental components of type 2 diabetes care. Medicines remain essential for many people, but outcomes are strengthened when pharmacological treatment is combined with person-centred support that reflects the individual's priorities, circumstances and readiness to change. This article outlines practical, evidence-informed approaches that practice nurses can use to explain insulin resistance, develop carbohydrate awareness, promote physical activity, support weight management and use glucose data appropriately. It also considers the psychological, social, cultural and economic barriers that may affect self-management. A case study illustrates how exploring the person's life context before escalating treatment can identify modifiable factors and support shared decision making.