Effect of a health education program on the lifestyle of adults with a high diabetes risk score in the Abo-Hammad city, Sharkia governorate

Abstract EN

Diabetes has emerged as a global health problem.

The diabetes risk score is used to identify how high a risk an individual has of developing diabetes.

The diabetes risk score will help individuals to rapidly and easily determine their chance of developing diabetes and, accordingly, action can be taken.

The present study aimed to determine the diabetes risk score among adults in the Abo-Hammad city, Sharkia Governorate, as well as to implement and determine the outcome of a health education program on the lifestyle of adults with a high diabetes risk score.

Participants and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on 282 adults of both sexes, 40–64 years of age, in the Abo-Hammad city, Sharkia Governorate.

The questionnaire administered included some sociodemographic items, a diabetes type II risk assessment form, and measurements such as BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, and random blood sugar.

A health education program was implemented and evaluated after 3 months.

Results It was found that 40.4% of adults aged 40–64 years had a high diabetic risk score.

Men had a high diabetes risk score (32.2%) compared with women (46.1%), with a high significant difference (P = 0.019).

The lifestyle health education program had a significant effect on individuals with high diabetes risk scores in terms of a reduction in the consumption of animal fat, shift to the use of vegetable oil, and also a decrease in the consumption of salt.

Conclusion A lifestyle health education program can be effective for adults with a high diabetic risk score.

Further researcher is needed.