Self-management and adherence to diet in diabetes: two case studies

Literature has shown that obesity associated to diabetes imposes difficulties to glycemic control. Studies suggest that adult patients with diabetes present greater difficulty to diet adherence when compared to physical activity and medication. However, studies indicate that self-monitoring and the use of recordings help adults with chronic diseases adhere to diets and follow instructions prescribed by health professionals. The present study investigated the effects of self monitoring and compliance to diet rules on two obese adult females diagnosed with diabetes attending a university hospital. Nineteen home visits were made to each patient where they were interviewed following schedules and self monitoring register protocols. Data collected was assessed according to three descriptive categories (meal with adherence, no adherence and no meal) and three stages of self-monitoring (no planning, planning and maintenance). The results suggest that self-monitoring followed by a training in eating behaviors proved to be effective in increasing adherence to nutritional rules. Keywords: diabetes; self-monitoring; adherence to diet.