The Effect of WhatsApp Nutrition Education on Blood Sugar, Fat Profile and Quality of Life in Patients with Type Diabetes 2

Patient education is an important part of diabetes control. Virtual education using messenger networks makes it easy for the patients to receive information they need remotely. Due to the high popularity of WhatsApp social network in Iran, this study was carried out to assess effects of WhatsApp nutrition education on blood sugar, fat profile and quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes.

In this clinical trial study, 90 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. For the intervention group, a 45-d nutrition education program was provided via WhatsApp using images, videos and posters. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and quality of life were assessed in the two groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS Software v.22.

Results showed that WhatsApp nutrition training included effects on triglycerides (p = 0.008) and quality of life (p < 0.0001) but not on fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein (p > 0.05). No significant effects on HbA1c were observed at various times (p < 0.788).

Results of the present study revealed effects of WhatsApp nutrition education on decreasing blood triglycerides and increasing the quality of life of diabetic patients.