Adherence and Barriers to Medical Nutrition Therapy and the Effect on Glycemic Control among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes in India

Aditi Rajesh Deshmane^1,2 and Arti S Muley^1*

¹Nutrition and Dietetics Program, Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

²Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Indian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Aurangabad, India

Corresponding Author Email: arti@sihspune.org

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) has a remarkable effect on glycemic control among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. However, the extent of adherence to MNT isn't hundred percent. Therefore, we aim to determine the adherence level towards the MNT advised by a Registered Dietitian (RD); to identify the barriers and associated contributing factors and strategies to improve the compliance towards the MNT among people with Type 2 Diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among people with Type 2 Diabetes visiting the out-patient diabetes clinic from Kolhapur city, India. A structured questionnaire was used to capture the adherence and non-adherence, reasons and barriers to adhering the MNT. Out of 293 participants, 41.6% were adhering to the MNT. There was a significant association between the non working group, presence of co-morbidities and diabetes duration. 10 years with the increased adherence level. Similarly, there was a significant reduction of 26.7%, 38.1%, and 30.9% in the fasting, postprandial blood glucose and HbA1c values respectively in adhering group post MNT advice. More than 50% of the participants in the adhering group gave ‘To Improve overall health’ and ‘To control sugar’ as reasons to adhere. ‘Habitual to what they eat’ (64.3%), ‘Does not satisfy hunger’ (42.1%) and ‘Lack of willpower’ (42.1%), were the common barriers identified in our study. Our study shows that the MNT advised by an RD is effective in reducing the socio-cultural barriers to adherence and improves glycemic control. Strategies like making the workplace more diabetes-friendly and adopting behavior changing techniques should be implemented to increase adherence.

Dietary Adherence, Dietary Barriers, Glycemic Control, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

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