Effect of Nutrition Education Program Implementation on Nutritional Status and some Biochemical Indicators of Hypothyroidism Patients

Abstract

This Study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of nutrition education program intervention on nutritional status and some biochemical indicators of hypothyroidism patients. A random sample of 40 hypothyroidism patients 5 males and 35 females were selected from Kasr El-Aini Hospital out patients with age from (30-45) years. Three tools were used for data collection, structured interview questionnaire, dietary assessment questionnaire , nutritional intake knowledge food habitsand anthropometric measurements. In previous study were performed at baseline revealed prevalence of malnutrition companied with poor food habits, based on these findings, this study aimed to conduct nutrition education program intervention for three months to improve patients' ability to look after their nutritional health by improving their food literacy, understanding their nutritional needs. Our patients were subjected to nutritional assessment and laboratory investigation at baseline and after 12 weeks to determine serum free T4, free T3 TSH, zinc, iron, selenium level and iodinelevel in urine. According to the present study at the end of nutrition education program intervention for 3 month, results recorded a high significant correction in food habits, food choices, enhancing and hindering some minerals absorption and adequacy of nutrients intake. Results of the nutritional assessment after intervention confirmed by biochemical analysis as comparing at baseline vs. after 12 week of (NEP) intervention. Results revealed a significant difference increase (P<0.05) in serum ferritin, selenium, zinc and urinary iodine levels .Concerning the levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH at baseline vs. after intervention, result revealed non significant differences. In conclusion 12 weeks of (NEP) intervention induced a significant improvement in adequacy intake from some minerals and vitamins which reflected as an induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in serum ferritin, Se, Zn, and urinary iodine. We suggest that malnutrition or presence of numerous nutritional deficiencies in hypothyroidism patients’ body can be cause of thyroid disorders. The co-existing deficiencies of such elements as iodine, iron, selenium, zinc and vitamin C may impair the function of the thyroid gland .