Publication:

Assessment of the eating habits of diabetic patients and consequential evaluation of targeted intervention in Tripolis, Greece

Background Diabetes mellitus is a global public health problem. The purposes of this study were: development of healthy eating habits, excellent glycemic control, maintenance ideal body weight, smoking cessation, regular physical exercise, prevention of complications.

Methods A sample of 100 diabetic patients (57% males and 43% females, aged 39-89 years old) was monitored in the Hospital of Tripolis. Patients completed a questionnaire about their eating habits. Body weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) calculation and glycosylated hemoglobin were measured. Follow lifestyle intervention included dietary guidelines.

Results After the intervention significant differences were observed: increases in physical activity (58.95% from 41.0%, p-value = 0.002), duration of exercise (Q1 = 1.0 from 0.5, p-value = 0.023), consumption of breakfast (94.74% from 86.0%, p-value = 0.013 ), daily number of meals (median = 5 from 4, p-value = 0.002), average score of frequency in fats / oils / olive consumption (median = 2.8 from 2.5, p-value <0.001) average score of frequency in fruit consumption (median = 4.0 from 2.5, p-value <0.001), and decreases in weight (Q1 = 73.0 from 74.5, p-value = 0.002), BMI (median = 31.7 from 32.4, p-value = 0.002), waist circumference (median = 106 from 108, p-value <0.001), average score of frequency in grain / starchy / legumes consumption (Q1 = 2.6 from 2.8, p-value = 0.050).

Conclusions This study shows that even small interventions can have the desired results. But it needs perseverance and adaptation of programs to the specific characteristics and cultural beliefs of patients.