Effect of a Nutritional Intervention on Knowledge, Food Consumption, Anthropometric, and Biochemical Indicators in Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Peru

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has become a public health problem in Peru, with an increase in chronic complications due to poor disease management.

Objective: To determine the effect of a nutritional intervention on knowledge, food consumption, anthropometric and biochemical indicators in adults with T2DM in Peru.

Methods: A quasi-experimental quantitative study was carried out on 61 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Knowledge (DKQ-24), food consumption frequency (FCFA), BMI (kg/m²), waist circumference (cm), fasting glucose (mg/dL), and lipid profile (mg/dL) were measured at baseline and at 3 months, during which 6 nutritional education sessions were applied. The Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis.

Results: After the nutritional intervention, there were significant changes in knowledge (p=0.001), food consumption frequency (p=<0.005), waist circumference (p=0.006), total cholesterol (p=0.003), VLDL (p=0.043), and triglycerides (p=0.046).

Conclusion: The nutritional education program is effective in improving knowledge levels, healthy food consumption, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, which contribute to the reduction of chronic complications.