LAUSR

Dietary and lifestyle modifications are critical in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, in a resource-constrained setting, providing physical counseling for dietary and lifestyle modifications is a challenge. Therefore, SPARSH, a call center based, telephonic counseling program was set up for patients with T2DM. In this study, effect of SPARSH services on dietary and lifestyle parameters of patients with T2DM was analyzed. Adult patients who received counseling regularly for at least 14 months were selected. At the end of 14 months, change from baseline in various dietary and lifestyle parameters was evaluated using t test and McNemar’s test at 5% significance level. Overall, 1283 patients were included. At the end of 14 months, change in dietary parameters was as follows: total calories, carbohydrates, and fat consumption decreased significantly by 169.1 kcal/day, 16.2 g/day, and 3.1 g/day, respectively (p < 0.0001); proteins intake increased by 1.0 g/day (p = 0.0043); cereals, alcohol, and junk food consumption decreased by 1.1 exchanges/day, 34.9 kcal/day, and 46.0 kcal/day, respectively (p < 0.0001); fruits and vegetable consumption increased by 0.2 and 0.4 exchanges/day, respectively (p < 0.0001); dietary fiber intake increased by 0.9 g/day (p = 0.0207). Change in lifestyle parameters was as follows: increase in frequency and duration of exercise by 1.2 days/week and 1.3 h/week, respectively; self-inspection of feet and footwear by 1.5 and 1.0 times/week, respectively; and decrease in smoking by 2 cigarettes/day (p < 0.0001). Regular telephonic counseling significantly improved dietary and lifestyle parameters in T2DM patients.