Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Improve Glycemic Control after Nutritional Education Program at the Public Health Center

Kim, Tae Yon; Um, Soon Hee

Abstract

This study was carried out to provide information on the effect of nutrition education program for diabetic patients at the Guri City's Public Health Center. Subjects of this study were 31 persons(male 7, female 24) who attended all courses of "2002 Diabetes Education Class". They were indicated as the 'education group'(EG). Eating and living habits of EG were investigated before the education. EG's weight and blood glucose (post prandial 2 hours, PP2) were examined as well. EG's PP2 reduction was compared with a 'control group'(CG) who didn't join any course in that class. All of the subjects were non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM) patients. EG's average age was 62.4+/-8.8. Before taking the course, EG's PP2 was 251.5+/-29.6mg/dl, and body mass index(BMI) was 26.3+/-2.3 on average. Most of them were stressed out from their daily lives and usually had no exercise. Most people of EG ate meals rapidly and liked sweet and fatty foods. After the course of training, EG's weight and BMI before the training were not decreased significantly. However, all of the EG's PP2s, which were measured 4 times(before the meal at the special lunch session, after 2 hours at this meal, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks dietary assembly), were decreased in comparison with the PP2 which was checked prior to joining the training. EG's average PP2 was more reduced than CG's one. In addition, all groups' PP2s were decreased for 8 weeks. After all, this nutritional education at the public health center was effective in glycemic control for diabetes mellitus patients. Especially, when the dietary assembly as practical training was included in the educational process, the patient's dietary intake and PP2 was improved more effectively. Therefore, this study suggests that nutrition work at public health centers is necessary for the Health Promotion Policy.