The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of problem solving nursing counseling and walking exerciseon weight loss, cardiovascular risk factors, and self-efficacy of diabetic control among obese diabetic patients. The Polar heart rate monitor was used for walking exercise to utilize the Biofeedback mechanism.

Fifty nine diabetic patients were conveniently placed into experimental (n=35) and control groups (n=24). The experimental group participated inweekly nursing counseling for 12 weeks and was encouraged to do walking exercise using a Polar monitor. The control group remained in the same treatment as before. The data wascollected from November 2003 to August 2004 and analyzed using t-tests and ANCOVAs.

After 12 weeks, the participants in the experimental group reported significantly decreased body weight (p=.004) and total scores on theParma scale (p=.001). While the participants in the control group reported significantly increased levels of blood triglyceride (p=.046) and HDL (p=.018).

Based on the findings, we concluded that problem focused nursing counseling with intensified walking exercise could reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications and body weight among obese diabetic patients. Future research to explore the long-term effects of nursing counseling on diabetic complications is warranted.

This study was to determine the effect of oral vitamin C supplements on blood sugar and antioxidative status in Types II diabetes mellitus patients.

Data for the study were collected from June 24 to August 31, 2001. Participants(31) took 1g/day vitamin C for 4 weeks, after a 1 - week taking no Vitamin C, followed by Vitamin C 3g/day for 4 weeks. A baseline blood sample was obtained following a 12hour overnight fast and at the end of each 4week Vitamin C administration. Blood samples were taken for plasma vitamin C concentration, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, superoxide scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. The data were analyzed by SPSS for repeated measures ANOVA.

Plasma vitamin C concentration was significantly increased over dose(F=3.316, p=.043). Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c was significantly decreased over dose(F=13.192, p=.000; F=11.995, p=.000). Superoxide scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity was significantly increased over dose(F=486.138, p=.000; F=177.704, p= .000).

The results suggest that megadose vitamin C supplementation may have a beneficial effect in diabetes mellitus patients on both glycemic control and antioxidant status. Thus dietary measures to increase plasma vitamin C may be an important health strategy for reducing the compliance of diabetic patients.