The impact of a community-based food education programme on dietary pattern in patients with type 2 diabetes: Results of a pilot randomised controlled trial in Portugal.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of a food education programme, with easy-to-implement strategies integrated in a community-based exercise programme, on dietary pattern of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Thirty-three patients (65.4±5.9years old) were engaged in a 9-month randomised controlled trial: a supervised exercise programme (control group [CON]; n=15; combined exercise; three sessions per week; 75min per session) or the same exercise programme plus a concomitant 16-week food education programme (experimental group [EXP]; n=18; 15-min. group classes and dual-task strategies during exercise). Dietary pattern was assessed using a 3-day food record at baseline and at 9months. The intake of total fat, polyunsaturated fat, and the daily servings of vegetables significantly increased in EXP compared with the CON group. Retention and adherence to the programme were 54% and 49.5±27.2%, respectively. This food education programme improved dietary pattern of patients with T2D. Special attention should be given to strategies that support participants' attendance.