Web-based Approach in Nutrition and Diabetes

Educational Approach, Clinical Nutrition and Type 2 Diabetes: Traditional Strategies and Innovative Technologies

The study aims to test web-based strategies, in overweight or obese participants at risk or affected by Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus , to promote adherence over time to a healthy lifestyle and nutritional medical therapy (TMN). The study population includes 40 subjects, randomly allocated to web group (therapeutic reinforcement through web-based strategies) or traditional group (traditional educational approach). Anthropometric and clinical parameters will be collected, as well as scores of validated questionnaires will be administered up to 12 months from the enrollment.

Assessment of Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure (mm hg) at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months

Change from baseline in Dietary habits estimated by PREvencion con DIetaMEDiterranea questionnaire (PREDIMED questionnaire)

Assessment of Dietary habits at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Changes in dietary habits will be estimated using a 14-item PREDIMED questionnaire which is a questionnaire to assess the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, 0 being the minimum total score and 14 the maximum total score. Higher values represent a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

Change from baseline in physical activity level estimated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - short form

Assessment of physical activity level at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Changes in the level of physical exercise will be estimated by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short form) which is a questionnaire to assess the level of physical activity. Patients are asked to measure the average amount of time spent in sedentary behaviours and different intensity levels of physical activity. The questionnaire obtains three different intensity levels of physical activity: low, moderate and high.

Assessment of Quality of life by SF-36 at baseline and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a self-report generic quality of life measure. The SF-36 measures eight scales: physical functioning (PF), role physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MH) with scores ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate greater self-reported quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria: Overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) Participants with or at risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Skills in the use web-based technologies and internet accessibility Exclusion Criteria: Conditions that could interfere with the execution and completion of the project or failure adherence to the protocol.

Fraticelli F, Nicola MD, Vitacolonna E. A nutritional web-based approach in obesity and diabetes before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. J Telemed Telecare. 2023 Feb;29(2):91-102. doi: 10.1177/1357633X20966933. Epub 2020 Oct 21.