Beating Diabetes in Urban Nepal

Project Summary

Type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications are of growing international concern among communities, health service providers and policymakers (WHO, 2014).

Research in urban Nepal found that almost 20% of adults over 40 were affected by type 2 diabetes (Ono et al., 2007).

Increased incidence of diabetes is blamed on changing lifestyle and dietary practices, which increase the risk of obesity, and a decrease in preventative behaviours such as taking moderate exercise.

Our qualitative study seeks to understand the barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle behaviours (good diet and regular exercise) among male and female adult diabetes patients in urban Kathmandu and Lalitpur. Our research will inform the development of policies and programmes to encourage healthy lifestyles among urban populations in low income countries.