Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an increasing public health problem primarily because of increase in the prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of self-management education on metabolic control in adults with T2D.

Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 300 patients with T2D recruited from the Diabetes Society of Natanz, Isfahan, Iran, from October 2012 to January 2013. The patients participated in a 16-week educational program held by trained dietician. At baseline, the intervention group attended a 20 minutes lifestyle and nutritional oral education program. Participants were assessed at baseline, 2 and 4 months follow-up for changes in body mass index, glycemic status, and lipid profile. Non-parametric and parametric descriptive and group × time (pre-post) repeated measure analysis of variance was done.

Results: The mean (± standard deviation) amount of weight lost between baseline and the end of 16 weeks was 0.66 ± 1.62 kg in compared to baseline (p < 0.0010). Significant time × treatment interaction effects were found for triglycerides (p < 0.0001), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (p = 0.0010), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p < 0.0001), 2-hour postprandial glucose (p < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure (BP) (p < 0.0001), diastolic BP (p < 0.0001), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (p = 0.0010). Mean FBS concentrations decreased by 30 mg/dl at week16. There was a non-significant increase in the HbA1c.

Conclusion: Nutritional/lifestyle counseling may improve metabolic control in T2D patients. Hence, it is possible to improve T2D control by means of non- pharmacologic interventions.