Abstract

Introduction: Contrary to the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in different age groups, most previously published educational programs for diabetic patients have been conducted for young or newly diagnosed patients. This study was performed to determine the effect of nutrition education programs on metabolic, anthropometric and blood-pressure indices of elderly individuals, aged above 60 years with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods: A hundred elderly diabetic patients participated in this interventional study. Data on the control and intervention groups was collected in two stages, before and 12 weeks after intervention. Intervention of nutrition education was performed based on the BASNEF model and, data collected were analyzed using Chi-square, t-test and the paired t-test. Results: The intervention group showed a significant reduction in body weight (-1.3 kg), body mass index (-.48 kg/m2), triglycerides (−18.25 mg/dl), fasting plasma glucose (−19.5mg/dl), and HbA1c (-.36%). A decrease in HDL (-1.02mg/dl, P= .9) and LDL (-4.04, P=.2) was also observed in the interventional group, although the change was not significant. No significant differences were seen in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study, short-term nutrition education can improve biochemical and anthropometric indice of elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.