Sapporo Medical Journal

Abstract : The level of knowledge of people with diabetes mellitus, especially about diet management still varies. Patients with diabetes mellitus need to be educated appropriately about the need to maintain regular eating time, calorie counts and types of food. The lack of knowledge on diet management may result in obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which may be measured by their waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). This study identified the correlation between knowledge on diet management and waist-to-hip ratio in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This descriptive correlational study used a cross sectional approach, involving a consecutive sample of 141 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data were collected using a questionnaire to identify the patients’ knowledge, and a measuring tape to measure the patients’ waist and hip circumferences. The study showed that 17% patients had low level of knowledge and 59,6% had moderate level of knowledge. Over two third had the hip to waist ratio above the cut-off point (70,2%). Those who had low level knowledge on diet management had the highest proportion of hip to waist ratio above the cut-off point (91,7%). The association between level of knowledge on diet management and waist to hip ratio was highly significant (p = 0,0001). Nurses were expected to assess the knowledge level and waist to hip ratio of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and determine their educational needs. Nurses are also suggested to provide health education