U.V.Mani,S.M.Deshmukh, S.A.Desai, U.M.Iyer, A.K. Sen, Patel  R.P., Department of Foods and Nutrition, M S University of Baroda and Gujarat Refinery Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat 390002.

Lifestyle related risk factors play an important role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.  This is evident from the increased incidence of various secondary complications in diabetics.  Some of these risk factors like dietary choices, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight and sedentary lifestyle are modifiable.  Studies have shown that these factors if effectively controlled, can lead to reduction in the risk of developing further complications.  Thus the present study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of community based nutrition counseling and education programme on behavioural risk factors, weight and serum biochemical parameters for arresting and/or delaying of secondary complications in diabetic subjects.  A total of 60 diabetic subjects from Gujarat Refinery (GR) hospital were enrolled for the study and divided randomly into two groups, control and experimnental, consisting of 30 subjects each.   On the control group no education was given at baseline and then the subjects were followed up every three months for one year.   The Nutritioin Health Awareness programme included individual counseling and its impact was assessed using both, anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

Results of the study indicated that there was significant reduction in FBS, TG, TC and its fractions   viz. LDL-C and VLDL-C after the intervention.   Also subjects who included some kind of exercise in their daily routine showed a decrease in their weight accompanied by an altered lipid profile towards favorable side.  However, in case of control group no such changes were seen.  The dietary data of subjects revealed significant reduction in the total fat intake as compared to the baseline.  With regard to control group the dietary habits remained nearly the same.  Thus community based health education programme if effectively conducted will result in the better control of diabetes thereby helping in arresting or delaying of secondary complications.