Effects of Low Glycemic Index Nutrition Education on the Blood Glucose Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study was intended to assess the effects of low glycemic index (LGI) nutrition education on dietary management and glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The subjects were 48 sex-matched patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 66.5 ± 6.2 years, visiting a public health center. They were divided into two groups: the control group (males 10, females 14) and the educated group (males 10, females 14). The educated group was provided with a LGI nutrition education program for 7 weeks. The control group was educated only one time for general diabetic education. Anthropometric indices, knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index carbohydrates, dietary glycemic index (DGI) and glycemic load (DGL), fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c were assessed. In the educated group body weight, body mass index and systolic blood pressure (from 138.0 ± 18.9 ㎜Hg to 130.6 ± 15.0 ㎜Hg) were significantly reduced after the nutrition education (p < 0.05). The scores of knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index carbohydrates increased significantly in the educated group. Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load of the educated group decreased significantly from 103.4 ± 67.6 to 45.4 ± 27.1 (p < 0.001), and from 173.3 ± 135.9 to 66.8 ± 50.4 (p < 0.001), respectively. Also fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels of the educated group significantly decreased from 124.5 ± 28.8 ㎎/㎗ to 96.7 ± 21.6 ㎎/㎗ (p < 0.001) and from 7.1 ± 1.3% to 6.4 ± 1.2% (p < 0.05), respectively. The score of knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index significantly correlated with fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels negatively. DGI, DGL and duration of diabetes significantly correlated with HbA1c level positively. From stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, DGI, DGL and the duration of diabetes were extracted as factors influencing HbA1c level of the subjects. The results of this study suggest that low glycemic index nutrition education programs is an effective intervention measure for the glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.