Nutrition Promotion Program: Reducing Sugar, Fat and Salt Intake Applying Self-Regulation and Family Support among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

This quasi-experimental research aimed to assess the effectiveness of a nutrition promotion program: reducing sugar, fat and salt intake applying self-regulation and family support among patients with Type 2 diabetes. The sample totaled 30 individuals with Type 2 diabetes, aged 35-70 years. The subjects participated in a nutrition promotion program to reduce sugar, fat and salt intake lasting 12 weeks. Data was collected using an interviewing schedule and food record. The paired t-test was used to determine the difference between mean knowledge score and appropriate food consumption before and after the experiment. After the experiment, mean scores of appropriate food consumption behavior and knowledge of Type 2 diabetes complications and diet were better than before the experiment (p<0.001). The daily average sugar, fat and salt intake, average fasting blood sugar level and body mass index were significantly lower than before the experiment (p<0.05). Thus, this study’s nutrition promotion program reduced sugar, fat and salt intake applying self-regulation and social support from family members and positively affected food consumption behaviors among patients with Type 2 diabetes. Therefore, applying this program among patients with NCDs promoted appropriate food consumption behaviors sustainably for a higher quality of life.