Effects of low-carbohydrate diet and conventional diet on anthropometric parameters and glycemic response in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a low carbohydrate diet and a conventional diet on anthropometric parameters and on the glycemic response in type 2 diabetics. This is a quantitative, longitudinal and comparative study with DM2 patients registered and accompanied by a private clinic in Montes Claros-MG, Brazil. Sociodemographic information, weight, height, waist circumference and capillary blood glucose were collected. Training was conducted on the diet to be followed with the case group and the control group separately. The groups were selected at random. The individuals were instructed to perform glycemic self-monitoring before the main meals, on alternate days during 15 days of diet follow-up. The sample consisted of 12 individuals, 6 in the control group and 6 in the case group. The average age of the participants was 57.75 years, 41.66% being female and 58.33% male. Lower glycemic values were found in the group with a low-carbohydrate diet than in the group with a conventional diet. Psychosocial interventions and nutritional education programs are suggested in order to promote awareness and stimulation of the studied population and facilitate adherence to individualized dietary treatment and DM2 control.