Objective: The demanding behavioral changes for weight control to manage diabetes might contribute to lower quality of life (QOL). This research examines whether the demands of diet and exercise contribute to lower QOL among persons with diabetes.
Methods: Data were from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which measures days in the last month for poor physical health, poor mental health, limited activity, pain, depression, stress, poor sleep, and high energy, as well as weight control efforts.
Results: Respondents with diabetes averaged more impaired days on every measure of QOL. Neither efforts to control weight nor dieting were related to any measure. Exercise was associated with reductions in impaired days on all measures.
Conclusions: Exercising to control weight had a powerful effect on reducing QOL differences while attempting to maintain or reduce weight, and dieting to do so had no effect.