Effects of the Smart Diet Program Applying the Concept of Self-Regulation for Diabetes Control in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Hospital for Tropical Diseases

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to study the effects of the smart diet program for diabetes control in type 2 diabetes patients. A sample of 30 patients was divided into experimental and comparison groups, with 15 patients in each group. The experimental group received the smart diet program applying the self-regulation concept to design the activities for 12 weeks. The program activities included knowledge of diabetes diet, skill training on self-observation, decision making, self-reaction, and supporting diet control behavior continuously and a follow-up telephone interview was done. Data collection was done during the pre and post intervention program on the 12^th weeks by interviewing the subjects and testing of fasting blood sugar and HbA1c level. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, i.e., Chi-square, Paired sample t-test, Independent t-test and Mann- Whitney U test.

The research results showed that after the experimentation, the experiment group gained significantly higher level of perceived self-efficacy, outcome expectation of the diet control, and diet control behavior than before the experimentation (p < .05). Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c level of the experimental group also significantly decreased compared to the pre-experiment program (FBS from 196.9 mg/dl to 141.4mg/dl, p = .014; HbA1c from 8.6 mg/dl to 6.9 mg/dl, p = .002). Therefore, this program should be recommended and applied to other public health facilities with similar context.