CARB COUNT APPLICATION AND FOOD CONSUMING BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENT

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of a food consumption behavior modification program together with a carbohydrate count app on blood glucose level.  Pre- and post-program assessments were employed in this quasi-experimental study on a group of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were free of comorbidities and aged 41-70, as well as a control group (n = 30 per group).  The experimental group underwent the diet behavior modification program, using a “Carbs App”,  a mobile application for counting carbohydrate intake.  In contrast, the control group members were not enrolled in the program.  Every participant’s blood HbA1c level was measured both before and after the 12-week program.  Upon program completion, participants in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvement in self-efficacy awareness, carbohydrate consumption behavior and mean blood HbA1c level (decreasing from 8.5 to 6.9%) (p=0.001), while the mean blood HbA1c level in the control group did not alter.  Hence, the food consumption behavior modification program aided with a carbohydrate counting app can effectively lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.