Effects of nutrition education on diabetes management and nutrition habits in type 2 diabetes

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of previous nutrition education on the diabetes management and nutritional behaviors of the individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted on a total 100 patients (57 females and 43 males) aged 18-64 years old presenting to Endocrine Polyclinic of Baskent University Istanbul Hospital and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between June 2014 and December 2014. Personal characteristics, nutritional behaviors and status of receiving nutrition education for diabetes were inquired with an inquiry form. Frequencies and quantities of food consumption of the individuals were determined by using food consumption frequency form. Anthropometric measurements of the individuals were performed and HbA1c levels of them were recorded to the inquiry form from the data files available in Baskent University Istanbul Hospital. The ages of the individuals participating in the study ranged between 32 and 64 years and mean age was 53.64±7.99 years. Fifty percent of the participants (58% of the females, 42% of the males) received nutrition education earlier and 50% of them (56% of the females, 44% of the males) did not receive nutrition education earlier. The effects of nutrition education received on nutritional behaviors and diabetes management were evaluated by using nutritional behaviors and physical activity scores. At the evaluation where the full score was 100, the lowest education score was determined to be 13.79 and the highest education score was to be 89.66. No significant difference was determined between education score and age, education level, frequency of receiving nutrition education (p>0.05). The scores of the individuals receiving their nutrition educations from a dietitian were found to be significantly higher than the scores of the individuals receiving their nutrition educations from a physician (p<0.01). Significant differences were determined between the type of education received and period of diagnosis of diabetes and education scores (p<0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between period of diagnosis of diabetes and education scores, and receiving time of nutrition education and education score. At the end of the study, it was concluded that the individuals with type 2 diabetes should receive an efficient nutrition education to be able to provide a better diabetes management and to maintain a more qualified life. Increasing the number of studies which will be performed on this subject will contribute to constitution of standardizations for improvement of nutrition educations. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, nutrition education in diabetes, HbA1C, nutritional behaviors, diabetes management