Background: Diabetes type 2 is a chronic disease largely related to unhealthy lifestyle. Changes in activity and dietary lifestyle can prevent or delay development of diabetes in people at risk of diabetes type 2. Changes in lifestyle depends on the individual's ability for self-care. Motivating to and informing about these changes to support self-care is an important nursing task. However due to peoples varied preferences and attitudes affecting the self-care ability, motivating to change can be challenging.

Aim: To examine attitudes towards lifestyle changes for adults at risk of developing diabetes type 2.

Method: Literature review containing qualitative content analysis of 10 articles.

Results: Two main themes with eight sub themes were identified. Main theme Lifestyle change is possible to achieve identified people's attitudes facilitating changes in lifestyle, while main theme Lifestyle change is not possible to achieve uncovered attitudes acting as barriers towards lifestyle changes.

Conclusion: Motivation and ability to change lifestyle is affected by the individual's attitude, and thus affects the ability to self-care. Support from family members or friends may affect attitudes towards lifestyle change positively, while lack of support may affect them negatively. Information and support from professionals may also contribute positively towards an attitude that enables the ability for self-care and change in one's life.