Impact of Guided Nutrition Intervention on the Anthropometric and Biochemical Profile of Non-Communicable Disease Patients in Nigeria; A Multi Facility Based Study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study was designed to assess the impact on guided nutrition intervention on the anthropometry and biochemical profile control of patients with non-communicable diseases in Nigeria. MethodsNinety-two in-patients suffering from non-communicable diseases with metabolic complications were recruited from six Nigerian tertiary health care institutions using a quasi-experimental design and purposive sampling technique. Informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. The respondents were subjected to six months of guided/individualised nutrition interventions which comprised; nutrition counselling, formulation/administration of disease appropriate therapeutic diets and close monitoring/follow up. Descriptive statistics were computed for the continuous variables, paired t-test was used to evaluate the impact of the intervention. ResultsResults showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in respondents’ weight (78.07 to 76.05 kg) and Body Mass Index (28.68–27.82 kg/m2) status. Mean systolic (135.41 to 129.52 mmHg) and diastolic (84.17 to 78.05 mmHg) blood pressure values dropped significantly after the intervention. Fasting blood sugar of the subjects significantly (t = 4.84; p = 0.00) declined (136.19 to 120.82 mg/dl), while a significant (t = –2.48; p = 0.02) elevation in mean packed cell volume of the patients was recorded. There was no significant (p < 0.05) effect of the intervention on the serum electrolytes except chloride (101.66 to 95.24 mmol/l) which recorded a significant (t = 2.16; p = 0.42) reduction. ConclusionsAppropriate nutrition/dietary interventions significantly improved the health and nutritional status of the patients. Longitudinal studies and clinical trials that will validate the impact of nutrition interventions on the health outcomes of NCD patients in sub-Saharan Africa should be conducted. Funding SourcesNone