Dietary habit and other lifestyles and serum lipid profile of type 2 diabetes patients

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to review evidence spanning the relation of dietary habits and other lifestyles to the lipid profile of type 2 diabetes patients. Design/methodology/approach – Search was done in PubMed, Biomed, Cochrane and Nutrition and Metabolism databases from 20 to 29 June 2013 for studies published on dietary intakes and lifestyle effect on lipid profile of type 2 diabetes patients. Findings – A total of 54 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. These included observational, randomized control trials, prospective, cross-sectional and retrospective studies. Studies obtained covered macronutrients, micronutrients, dietary pattern, specific foods and lifestyle (alcohol intake, smoking, physical activity level and fasting). Research limitations/implications – The review did not consider unpublished articles/findings, and only studies in the English language and on humans were considered. Practical implications – The results of the review evidenced limited data on the lifestyle pattern of type 2 diabetes patients. Social implications – Dietary habits and other lifestyle patterns for a good lipid profile among type 2 diabetes patients have not been established. Originality/value – The review demonstrates the need for studies in dietary pattern and other lifestyle patterns in relation to lipid profile of type 2 diabetes patients.