The Effects Of Personalized Dietary Education On Glycosylated Hemoglobin Levels In Adult Diabetic Patients

Diabetes mellitus is a complex and multifactorial disease process with numerous debilitating outcomes if improperly managed. This chronic illness requires continuing medical care and education to prevent acute exacerbations and to reduce the risk of long-term complications. The primary manifestation, hyperglycemia, can be the result of various elements. One major cause of hyperglycemia is inappropriate dietary intake which results in detrimental short- and long­ term effects. A glycosylated hemoglobin measurement can be utilized as a marker in monitoring long-term glycémie control. This quasi-experimental study examined the effect of personalized dietary education on glycosylated hemoglobin levels in adult diabetic patients. The study was guided by the null hypothesis : There will be no difference in glycosylated hemoglobin levels in adult diabetic patients before and after a personalized dietary teaching intervention program. Pender's Health Promotion Model provided the theoretical framework in interpreting dietary teaching's effect on glycémie management. The sample 111 consisted of adult diabetic patients in rural Mississippi primary care facilities. Data were compiled using a demographic survey and the results of glycosylated hemoglobin testing obtained at baseline and two to three month post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the dependent t-test. Results indicated no significant reduction in the mean difference of the post-intervention glycosylated hemoglobin levels (p = 0.853). Additional findings were brought out by researcher analyzed demographic questionnaires. Recommendations for future research included replication of this study with a larger sample utilizing different geographical areas and different health care providers. Conduction of a similar study over a longer period of time utilizing multiple dietary educational interventions and several glycosylated hemoglobin measurements as determinants of long-term dietary compliance was further recommended.