Endocrine Abstracts

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of nutritional education program based on health belief model, on the glucose and lipid profile, weight changes and frequency of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients who fast in Ramadan.

Methods: Based on inclusion criteria, 53 type 2 diabetic patients were referred to diabetes clinic of Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran and who tended to be fast during Ramadan were enrolled and randomly assigned into 2 groups, intervention (n=28) and control (n=25). A week before Ramadan, the intervention group was educated based on the health belief model. Data on demography, health belief model components, knowledge, physical activity and anthropometric assessments were collected through face to face interview before and after Ramadan. Fasting blood samples were collected in the weeks before and after Ramadan. Both groups were asked to register food record and blood glucose two days per week (at least 3 times per day) and the number of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia during Ramadan.

Results: Education in the intervention group significantly increased health believes model components such as perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy compared to control group. There was a significant difference in knowledge scores for fasting condition, blood glucose control, scores and medication, nutrition and physical activity between the two groups. There was shown no statistically significant difference in the biochemical markers between two groups and in each group. In both groups, BMI and physical activity showed a significant decrease at the end of the study compared to baseline. Calorie and macronutrient intake in the two groups did not change significantly during the study.

Conclusion: Focusing Ramadan education would increase the patient’s knowledge and empower them to proper management of diabetes, making changes to lifestyle and prevention of complications of fasting.

Keywords: Diet, Education, Glycemic, Lipids profile, fasting, Type 2 diabetes