Introduction: In the last two decades there has been an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in both developed and in developing countries.
Objective: To determine whether personal habits like smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption or physical inactivity are different between genders in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: The study was conducted in Belgrade, during the period 2007-2008, and included newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes. We included 80 men and 99 women diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2, referred to the Primary Health Care Centre "Savski venac". A questionnaire was used to collect data on demographic and anthropometric characteristics, as well as data on healthy habits. The chi2 test and two-tailed t-test were used for data analysis.
Results: The men were significantly more engaged in industry and crafts, while the women worked significantly more frequently in administrative jobs. The men were married significantly more frequently than the women (p < 0.05) and had a higher level of education (p < 0.05). Regarding to the level of implementation of nutritional and physical activity, there were no significant differences between the genders (p > 0.05). The women consumed coffee significantly more frequently than the men (p < 0.05), but drank less alcohol (p < 0.05). The men were former smokers significantly more frequently (p < 0.05) than the women.
Conclusion: These results indicate the role of certain personal habits in the development of type 2 diabetes.