EFFECT OF NUTRITION EDUCATION ON BIOCHEMICAL INDICES, NUTRITIONAL STATUS, KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE IN TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS

Medical-nutritional interventions, can reduce the risk of complicationsin T1DM. There has been some conflicting data on the issue of the association between diabetes knowledge and metabolic improvement of T1DM patients. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutrition education on biochemical changes, nutritional status, knowledge, attitude and practice of patients withT1DM in Aligoodarz. This study was a self – control quasi survey. Census sampling was used for subject selection. ِِData was collected by observation and interview techniques. Biochemical indices were measured on blood samples by standard methods and anthropometric measurements, diet survey and KAP study were carried out on 30 patients with T1DM by a nutritionist at the first and 3 months after training. All cases participated in educating programs for 12 hours. The results were analyzed by SPSS and Food processor softwares and results compared with paired t-test and McNemar test. P-values less than 0. 05 were considered as significant. 30 patients with 15 – 45 years old (Mean ± SD = 30. 8 ± 11. 3) participated in study all participants were educated. Mean duration of diabetes was 10. 9±6. 44 years. FBS, HbA1c, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels decreased significantly. After educating interventions also hypoglycemic attacks reduced. Macronutrients intake were in recommended ranges for diabetic patients. Simple carbohydrates and cholesterol intakes decreased and dietary Folate, Vit c and fiber increased. Calcium intake was less than RDA. Both knowledge and practice scores increased significantly (P<0. 001). Attitude was changed for some items significantly. Findings of this project emphasyzed on the importance of nutrition education to patients with T1DM. It may significantly changes biochemical indices, dietary fiber and simple carbohydrate and improves metabolic control in T1DM. And the patients KAP scores increased. Thus appropriate nutrition education as well as insulin therapy are the main factors in metabolic control of T1DM.