Does the quality of the diet sheet matter?

The aim of the study was to investigate whether the type of dietary advice sheets make a significant difference to metabolic control and/or knowledge of newly diagnosed non‐insulin‐dependent diabetics (NIDDM). Thirty four subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group A (n = 17) were given “attractive” diabetic dietary advice sheets (incorporating colourful cover and illustrations), and Group B (n = 17) were given “unattractive” dietary advice sheets (the same text but without illustrations). There was no significant difference in age, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, fructosamine or type of drug treatment between the two groups.

There was a significant improvement (p<0.01) in the knowledge score of Group A and an improvement in fructosamine and fasting blood glucose levels (p<0.05).

“Attractive” dietary advice literature, therefore, may improve theoretical knowledge of the diet and also, possibly, glycaemic control.