Abstract

Jalaja Kumari. D

Sixty Non Insulin Dependent Diabetic subjects in the age group of 40-60 years were selected from hospital of Sri hari Krishna diabetic care centre, Guntur and were surveyed for their nutrient adequacy using “24 hour recall method” for three consecutive days. Nutrition education was imparted to the subjects after assessing their basic knowledge regarding the diet and disease. Nutrition Counselling improved their mean score of diabetic knowledge significantly (P<0.01). The height, weight, body mass index and waist to hip ratio of the subjects were measured before and after nutritional education. A significant decrease in weight (66.45 to 61.20 kg), body mass index (27 to 26.2 kg/m2) and waist to hip ratio (0.89 to 0.85) and fasting blood concentrations of glucose (FBS), HbA1c, total cholesterol, and triglyceride. However, no such improvements were observed in control group. was observed. Significant decrease in the consumption of cereals, milk and milk products, fats and oils, sugar and jaggery whereas increase in the consumption of pulses, green leafy vegetables, root vegetables was found among diabetics after nutrition counseling. The percentage of calories from carbohydrates 59 to 61%, protein 13 to 16% increased and from fat it was decreased to 27 to 22% in the subjects after nutrition counseling. The intake of fiber (39 to 44%) increased while of vitamins and minerals except iron, zinc and niacin were adequate in the subjects after nutrition counseling as compared to ICMR’s recommendations. Therefore it can be concluded that nutrition counselling is an important measure for improving the knowledge and bringing about favourable and significant changes in anthropometry of diabetics.