ABSTRACT
Background Education is the mainstay of medical management of chronic non communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Aim To assess the effects of a multimedia diabetes education intervention and nutritional therapy on lifestyle changes and metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods We studied 219 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 56 ± 8 years (28% males). They received education through a multimedia site about control indicators, complications, nutrition and physical exercise, among others. They also received a personalized nutritional therapy. They were followed-up for one year. At baseline and the end of follow up they were weighed, and their waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. A fasting blood sample was withdrawn to measure glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid profile. Lifestyles were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire called IMEVID. Results The median duration of diabetes was six years. During the follow up, patients had a significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference and blood pressure and improvements in glycosylated hemoglobin, HDL and LDL cholesterol. Seven and 13% of patients reported favorable lifestyles at baseline and the end of follow up, respectively (p < 0.01). Compared with their counterparts with unfavorable lifestyles, patients with a favorable lifestyle had a significantly lower weight and glycosylated hemoglobin at the end of follow up. Conclusions The educational intervention along with nutritional therapy improved metabolic control and lifestyles in this group of diabetic patients.