Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jul 30, 2018
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 31, 2018 - Aug 14, 2018
Date Accepted: Nov 22, 2018
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Healthy Eating and Active Living for Diabetes-Glycemic Index (HEALD-GI): study rationale, design and evaluation of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Rigorous evidence is needed regarding the best approach for increasing uptake of Diabetes Canada’s evidence-based recommendations to include low glycemic index (GI) foods in daily meal planning as an effective dietary self-care strategy for glycemic control among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
Objective:
To present the study design and baseline data from the Healthy Eating and Active Living for Diabetes-Glycemic Index (HEALD-GI), which is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based GI-targeted nutrition education on GI-related knowledge and intakes among adults with T2D in Edmonton, Alberta.
Methods:
Participants (N=67) were randomized to a control group that received standard printed copies of Canada’s Food Guide and Diabetes Canada’s GI resources OR to an intervention group that received those same materials, plus a customized online platform with six self-directed learning modules and print material. Each module included videos, links to reliable websites, chat rooms, and quizzes. Evidence-based GI concept information included GI values of foods and low-GI shopping, recipes, and cooking tips by a Registered Dietitian. Support through email, text messaging, phone calls, or postal mail to reinforce participants’ learning were also provided. The primary outcome, average dietary GI, was assessed using 3-day food records. Additional measures including GI knowledge and self-efficacy, glycated hemoglobin A1c, lipids, systolic blood pressure, body-mass-index (weight, height), waist circumference, and computer proficiency were assessed at baseline and at three months post-intervention.
Results:
Participants were 64% men; mean age 69.5 (9.3) years, with mean diabetes duration of 19.7 (14.4) years, BMI 29.9 (5.8) kg/m2, and HbA1c 7.1 (1.2)%.
Conclusions:
The GI concept is often difficult to teach. The HEALD-GI study aims to provide evidence regarding the best approach to translating the GI concept to adults with T2D. Findings from this study may help Registered Dietitians to better disseminate low-GI dietary recommendations using efficient and cost-effective patient-centered approaches. Evidence generated will also contribute to addressing some of the controversies regarding the clinical usefulness of the GI concept. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03037099
Citation
Per the author's request the PDF is not available.
Copyright
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