Htoo, Zaw Wai2015-05-052015-05-052015-05-05http://hdl.handle.net/2097/19191Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a costly and burdensome lifelong disease, and without proper glycemic control, severe life-threatening complications result. In Southeast Asia, the prevalence of T2DM is forecast to increase markedly from 2000 to 2030. Although literature reviews on lifestyle modification for glycemic control are available, these are mainly for the Western context, and there is a dearth of evidence for Southeast Asians who are at greater risk of T2DM and have differing patterns of diet, physical activity and body composition than Western populations. Objective: To systematically review literature on the effectiveness of lifestyle modification interventions for glycemic control in T2DM patients from Southeast Asia. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCT) with interventions ≥ 8 weeks that compared HbA1c or blood glucose for intervention (lifestyle modification) versus control groups were identified from searches in Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed, ProQuest, Science Direct, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and Web of Science. Results: Seven RCTs (679 participants) meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. There was a significant reduction in HbA1c% (MD = -0.56%; 95% CI = -0.95,-0.16%; p = 0.006; n = 5 studies) and in blood glucose mg/dl (MD = -16.76 mg/dl; 95% CI = -31.36, -2.17 mg/dl; p = 0.02; n = 4 studies) over 3 months for lifestyle modification intervention groups. Lifestyle interventions included diet (n = 2), exercise (n = 2), and general lifestyle interventions (n = 3). Duration of interventions ranged from 12 weeks to 6 months. Studies included populations from Thailand (n = 5) and Malaysia (n = 2). Conclusion: Overall, lifestyle modification interventions are effective for the glycemic control of T2DM patients in countries of Southeast Asia.en-USThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).Type 2 diabetes mellitusGlycemic controlHbA1cBlood sugar levelDietSoutheast AsiaPhysical activityLifestyle modificationThesisMedicine (0564)Nutrition (0570)Public Health (0573)