BackgroundThe beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet have been amply proven in adults with cardiovascular risk factors. The effects of this diet have not been extensively assessed in pediatric populations with obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the Mediterranean style diet (MSD) to decrease cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents with obesity.MethodsParticipants were randomly assigned to a MSD rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber, flavonoids and antioxidants (60% of energy from carbohydrate, 25% from fat, and 15% from protein, (n = 24); or a standard diet (55% of carbohydrate, 30% from fat and 15% from protein, (n = 25), the caloric ingest was individualized. At baseline and 16-week of intervention, the glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C were measured as well as the body composition and anthropometric data. The diet compliance was determined by the 24-hour recalls.Paired Student’s t and Macnemar’s test were used to compare effects in biochemical, body composition, anthropometric, and dietary variables.ResultsThe MSD group had a significantly decrease in BMI, lean mass, fat mass, glucose, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C. (p < 0.05); the diet compliance increased consumption of omega 9 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin E, selenium, and decreased consumption of saturated fatty acids (p < 0.05). The standard diet group decrease in glucose levels and frequency of glucose >100 mg/dL (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe MSD improves the BMI, glucose and lipid profile in children and adolescents with obesity and any MetS component.

Objective. To assess the association of dietary fiber on current everyday diet and other dietary components with glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c), glucose, lipids profile, and body weight body weight, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 395 patients with type 2 diabetes was performed. HbA1c, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and lipids profile were measured. Weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, and body composition were measured. Everyday diet with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was evaluated. ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression were used in statistical analysis. Results. Higher fiber intake was associated with a low HbA1c, high HDL-c levels, low weight, and waist circumference. The highest tertile of calories consumption was associated with a higher fasting glucose level and weight. The highest tertile of carbohydrate consumption was associated with a lower weight. The lowest tertile of total fat and saturated fat was associated with the highest tertile of HDL-c levels, and lower saturated fat intake was associated with lower weight (p < 0.05). Conclusions. A higher content of fiber in the diet reduces HbA1c and triglycerides, while improving HDL-c levels. Increasing fiber consumption while lowering calorie consumption seems to be an appropriate strategy to reduce body weight and promote blood glucose control.

Background Health beliefs are relevant to consider in patients with type 2 diabetes since disease control depends mainly on the patient’s behaviour. The aim of this study was to assess the association between health beliefs and glycated hemoglobin levels in Mexican patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted, and 336 patients were included. Fasting blood levels of glycated hemoglobin, glucose, cholesterol; triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) were measured. Body fat percentage, weight, height; waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were also obtained. A previously validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the health beliefs with regards to non-pharmacological treatment. Health beliefs were classified as positive, neutral, and negative. Results The average age of patients was 54.7 ± 8.5 years, with a higher proportion of females (69%). The questionnaire had a good internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha score of 0.83. More than 90% of patients attributed a health benefit to diet and exercise, 30 to 40% experienced barriers, and more than 80% had a perception of complications associated to uncontrolled diabetes. Patients with positive health beliefs had lower HbA1c levels (8.2 ± 1.7%) compared to those with neutral (9.0 ± 2.3%), or negative (8.8 ± 1.8%; p = 0.042). The LDL-c levels were lower (p = 0.03), and HDL-c levels were higher (0.002) in patients with positive heath beliefs. Conclusions Positive health beliefs are associated with better metabolic control indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes.

La educación con un sitio multimedia en combinación con la terapia nutricia mejora el estilo de vida y la HbA1c en diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Estudio clínico cuasiexperimentalCarlos Penney-amador 1 , GreCia mendoza-salmerón 2,a , abril Violeta muñoz-torres 3,b , iVonne roy-GarCía 4 , renata aChar-de la maCorra 2,c , ana elisa lam-ChaVez 2,c , JorGe esCobedo-de la Peña 5 , lubia Velázquez-lóPez 5,d Effects of a multimedia educational intervention on lifestyles and metabolic control of adult diabetic patients Background: Education is the mainstay of medical management of chronic non communicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Aim: To assess the effects of a multimedia diabetes education intervention and nutritional therapy on lifestyle changes and metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods:We studied 219 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 56 ± 8 years (28% males). They received education through a multimedia site about control indicators, complications, nutrition and physical exercise, among others. They also received a personalized nutritional therapy. They were followed-up for one year. At baseline and the end of follow up they were weighed, and their waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. A fasting blood sample was withdrawn to measure glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid profile. Lifestyles were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire called IMEVID. Results: The median duration of diabetes was six years. During the follow up, patients had a significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference and blood pressure and improvements in glycosylated hemoglobin, HDL and LDL cholesterol. Seven and 13% of patients reported favorable lifestyles at baseline and the end of follow up, respectively (p < 0.01). Compared with their counterparts with unfavorable lifestyles, patients with a favorable lifestyle had a significantly lower weight and glycosylated hemoglobin at the end of follow up. Conclusions: The educational intervention along with nutritional therapy improved metabolic control and lifestyles in this group of diabetic patients.