O impacto e a influência da educação nutricional no tratamento da diabetes mellitus: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by insufficient production or ineffective absorption of insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels and providing energy to the body. Diabetes can cause increased blood glucose levels, which may lead to complications in the heart, arteries, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. In severe cases, diabetes can lead to death. Diet is directly related to several factors that interfere with the prevention and control of DM and its complications. Considering this issue, it is necessary for health professionals to be engaged in educating patients, as this approach contributes to better treatment adherence. It is important to study the impact that nutritional education has on the diet and, consequently, on the quality of life of patients with Diabetes Mellitus. The present literature review study aims to analyze the impact and influence of nutritional education in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus. The method used in this study was an integrative review, aiming to construct a broad analysis of the literature. To select the studies to be analyzed, the PubMed, Scopus, and Scielo databases were used. Inclusion criteria included studies published in the last 10 years (2014-2024) in English and Portuguese, and publications available for free and online. The following descriptors (DeCs) were used: “Diabetes Mellitus”, “Diabetes Mellitus type 2”, “Food and Nutritional Education”, “Nutritional Therapy”. The final sample consisted of 24 studies that were grouped by similarity of their findings and categorized as follows: (1) The relationship between food and nutrition education and glycemic control in patients with diabetes; (2) The effects of food and nutrition education on treatment adherence and disease management; (3) The role of food and nutrition education in the quality of life of diabetic patients through dietary intake (diet); (4) Guidelines/Books addressing Diabetes mellitus. The studies found indicate that nutritional education plays a fundamental role in managing T2DM, with evidence showing that educational interventions can improve glycemic control, enhance treatment adherence, and improve patients' quality of life. However, further studies and updates are needed to address the impact of nutritional education on the treatment and control of T2DM.