CONSUMPTION OF DIETARY FIBERS IN DIABETES MELLITUS: EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND FREQUENCY OF ITS INGESTION BY PATIENTS ATTENDED IN A HEALTH UNIT SCHOOL OF SANTA CATARINA

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) affects 415 million individuals worldwide and 14.3 million in Brazil. It is known that foods which are rich in dietary fibers have a fundamental role in the control of blood glucose. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of knowledge about the importance of fiber intake and its frequency of consumption in controlling DM. The population was composed of type 2 diabetic patients who attend a Health Unit School in Itajaí / SC. Data collection was done through an interview containing questions regarding socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge and frequency of fiber consumption. DM control was assessed using glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The population consisted of 22 people, most of them female (n = 15; 68%), with an average age of 60 (± 9.3) years old, and a maximum of 9 (± 3.4) years of background education. The weekly consumption average of vegetables and salads was eight servings (± 4.5), while fruits were mentioned 14 times a week and whole grains, seven times. When asked about the capacity of fibers to prevent and treat diabetes, 86% (n = 19) of the patients agreed with the statement. An average time of diagnosis of 9 (± 7) years was found, as well as a HbA1c average of 8% (± 2). Insufficient knowledge about dietary fibers was observed, even knowing the importance of consuming them properly, since the consumption of vegetables and salads, fruits and whole grains was assessed as insufficient, which may be related to low income, lack of health care and time of diagnosis