1.
The impact of structured diabetes education on glycemic control during Ramadan fasting in diabetic patients in Beni Suef, Egypt.
Nassar, M, Ahmed, TM, AbdAllah, NH, El Sayed El Hadidy, K, Sheir, RE
Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. 2021;(5):102249
Abstract
AIMS: Ramadan is a holy month for the Muslim community. Fasting Ramadan is directed by a systematic alteration in eating habits, sleeping times, and daily physical activities that optimize blood glucose levels. This study aims to evaluate the effects of structured education on safe fasting among diabetic patients. METHODS This study included diabetic patients with eligibility for the Ramadan fast. The control group included 494 patients who received standard diabetes education, while the intervention group included 407 patients who attained structured diabetes education. The patients were required to register their responses following the written, structured questionnaires before and after Ramadan fasts. In addition, patients were advised to keep a log of their hypoglycemic episodes. RESULT This study showed that structured diabetes education improved the blood glucose levels/glycemic control and outcomes of patients during their Ramadan fasting. The structured diabetes education helped reduce the incidence of hypoglycemic events and hyperglycemic crises. It also increased the acceptance and frequency of blood sugar level measurements among patients during Ramadan. CONCLUSION The standard diabetes management plan should include structured diabetes education measures to improve outcomes effectively. The providers should screen the patients with diabetes before Ramadan and educate them to improve their safe fasting practices.
2.
LA sprouts randomized controlled nutrition, cooking and gardening programme reduces obesity and metabolic risk in Hispanic/Latino youth.
Gatto, NM, Martinez, LC, Spruijt-Metz, D, Davis, JN
Pediatric obesity. 2017;(1):28-37
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Many programmes for children that involve gardening and nutrition components exist; however, none include experimental designs allowing more rigorous evaluation of their impact on obesity. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to explore the effects of a novel 12-week gardening, nutrition and cooking intervention {'LA Sprouts'} on dietary intake, obesity parameters and metabolic disease risk among low-income, primarily Hispanic/Latino youth in Los Angeles.. METHODS This study used a randomized control trial involving four elementary schools [two randomized to intervention {172, 3rd-5th grade students}; two randomized to control {147, 3rd-5th grade students}]. Classes were taught in 90-min sessions once per week for 12 weeks. Data collected at pre-intervention and post-intervention included dietary intake via food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric measures {body mass index, waist circumference}, body fat, and fasting blood samples. RESULTS LA Sprouts participants compared with controls had significantly greater reductions in body mass index z-scores {-0.1 vs. -0.04, respectively; p = 0.01} and waist circumference {-1.2 vs. 0.1 cm; p < 0.001}. Fewer LA Sprouts participants had the metabolic syndrome after the intervention than before, while controls with metabolic syndrome increased. LA Sprouts participants compared with controls increased dietary fiber intake {+3.4% vs. -16.5%; p = 0.04}. All participants decreased vegetable intake, but decreases were less in LA Sprouts than controls {-3.7% vs. -26.1%; p = 0.04}. Change in fruit intake did not differ between LA Sprouts and controls. CONCLUSIONS LA Sprouts was effective in reducing obesity and metabolic risk; however, additional larger and longer-term studies are warranted.
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Effectiveness of comprehensive health education combining lifestyle education and hot spa bathing for male white-collar employees: a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.
Kamioka, H, Nakamura, Y, Okada, S, Kitayuguchi, J, Kamada, M, Honda, T, Matsui, Y, Mutoh, Y
Journal of epidemiology. 2009;(5):219-30
Abstract
BACKGROUND Physical activity is known to prevent obesity and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly people; however, the effectiveness of a comprehensive health education program for male white-collar employees is uncertain. METHODS Forty-three men volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The intervention group participated in a 2-hour program comprising comprehensive health education and hot spa bathing, offered once every 2 weeks, in addition to individualized programs once a week, for 24 weeks. The control group received only general health guidance. We compared their lifestyle characteristics and physical and mental health criteria at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 1 year after the end of the intervention. RESULTS Rates of adherence to individualized programs were 60.0 +/- 27.2% and 30.5 +/- 29.6% at the end of the intervention and at 1 year after the end of the intervention, respectively. Significant (P < 0.05) interaction of criteria was observed for cluster of differentiation 4+ (CD4+) cells and the ratio of cluster of differentiation 4+ to 8+ (CD4/8) cells, which were used to represent the participants' immunological function. We divided the intervention group into 2 subgroups on the basis of their attendance. Among the resulting 3 groups, significant interaction of criteria was observed for CD4+ and CD4/8 cells. In addition, the high attendance group had the highest CD4+ count and CD4/8 ratio. CONCLUSIONS Participants who attended classes and/or performed the supplementary individualized programs tended to maintain their immunological function and to experience a decrease in body fat percentage. However, few effects were noted in participants with poor adherence, even in the intervention group.