The impact of diet counselling on type 2 diabetes mellitus: an Indian case study.

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of diet counselling on patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Despite a number of approaches to T2DM management being already available, healthcare professionals in India still struggle to achieve health targets without the adjunct therapy of diet coaching or counselling. Research design and methods: The study assessed the impact of counselling using a pre and post-test experimental design on separate case and control groups. The design of the study included the assessment of 150 adult subjects with T2DM and the effect of periodic intensive diet and exercise counselling on anthropometric measurements, plasma glucose, HbA1c, serum lipid profile and blood pressure levels. The subjects were grouped into three cohorts; those who were willing to attend only one session on diet and exercise counselling (Group I), those who were willing to attend only dietary counselling with periodic follow-up (Group II), and those who were willing to attend both dietary and exercise counselling with periodic follow-up (Group III). Results: The results of the investigation showed that Group III participants were generally likely to follow dietary principles more carefully, and were more involved with their interactions with the counsellor. Results also indicated that subjects who received periodic, intensive diet counselling did not show symptoms of progression to diabetic complications, and also did not progress to insulin therapy for the management of their disease. A six-month counselling program clearly indicated that this intervention had a positive effect on the management of non-insulin dependent T2DM.