It’s not just patient education – it’s family education

A study from the University of California looked at the influence of diet family support on glucose outcome in Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes. They checked participants’ A1C (glycosylated hemoglobin), body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio. The study participants completed questionnaires, which included the Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist-II.

The researchers found the participants with a higher level of diet family support had lower A1C levels. Family support has a big effect on glucose control. The positive impact of family support was even more pronounced in men.

This study was specific to Korean immigrants, but it is not hard to see that it might hold true for other populations. In many families from many cultures, women manage the family food preparations. It would be easier for a patient to change eating patterns when the family encourages and supports new behaviors.

So don’t just educate the patient. Include the family, especially when the treatment includes major lifestyle changes. Eating is a family affair. Diet changes are more effective with family support.

Source: Choi, S. E. (2009). Diet-specific family support and glucose control among Korean immigrants with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Educ, 35(6), 978-985.