Effect of Nutrition Education on Nutritional Behaviors and Glycemic Control Indices Based on BASNEF Model among Elderly with Type 2 Diabetes

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of nutrition education program based on the BASNEF (Belief, Attitude, Subjective Norm and Enabling Factors) model among elderly subjects above 60 years old with type 2 diabetes. In this study, 100 diabetic elderly (≥ 60 years) patients were divided into intervention and control groups randomly. Data of control and intervention groups was collected in two stages, before intervention and 12 weeks after intervention. Intervention of nutritional education was performed based on baseline assessment and BASNEF model. Finally, data were analyzed by using χ2, Student’s t and paired t-test. Our findings indicated that mean scores of knowledge and BASNEF model variables were significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the controls after intervention (P < 0.001). Also, behavioral nutrition improved significantly. The number of serving’s intake, regarding the fruit and vegetable, has been increased significantly in the intervention group (P < 0.001). HbA1c and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels decreased significantly in the intervention group (-0.36% and 19.5 mg/dl, respectively). BASNEF–based nutrition education intervention led to improve nutritional behaviors in addition to improve knowledge and attitude of diabetic elderly and it led to improve indices of glucose control during 3-month intervention.