Introduction. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder, that significantly lowers the quality of life. Despite the recent advances in medicine, the disease continues to spread all over the world. The increase in diagnoses of diabetes are attributed to inappropriate lifestyles. Modern treatment of diabetes should be based not only on pharmacological solutions, but also on developing the healthy behaviors. Aim. To determine the relationship between a patient’s sense of self-efficacy and preferred lifestyle as a determinant in maintaining optimal well-being. Material and methods. The study was conducted at the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz on type 2 diabetes patients. Health habits were defined using the Health Behaviour Inventory (IZZ) by Zygfryd Juczyński and with the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Results. Diabetes patients with a higher sense of self-efficiency practice more positive health habits. It is observed that the sense of higher self-efficacy is found among men below 60 years old who are mainly residents of the cities. Respondents represent the average to high level of health habits. Higher results of health habits are observed among women below 60 years of age who are also residents of the cities. Conclusions. Studies have shown that a sense of personal control helps patients to change and maintain proper health behaviors. A low sense of self-efficiency, therefore, is one cause of patients’ failure to adhere to treatment recommendations.

Key words: type 2 diabetes, sense of self-efficiency, health habits.