Effect of nutrition education package on dietary modification and anthropometry among attendees of a noncommunicable disease clinic at a rural primary health-care facility in Delhi

Context: The global burden and threat of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) constitutes a major public health challenge that undermines social and economic development throughout the world. NCDs are one of the leading causes of adult morbidity and mortality globally. The disease burden in India due to NCDs has increased from 30% to 55% between 1990 and 2016. Aims: We aimed to assess the effect of nutrition education intervention on dietary awareness, practices, and anthropometry. Settings and Design: This design was a facility-based before-and-after intervention study without control. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in five phases: planning and recruitment, preintervention, intervention, washout, and postintervention. Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured interview schedule under the following heads – personal, sociodemographic, and behavioral risk factors of NCDs. Anthropometric examination included weight, height, waist, and hip circumference measurement. Statistical Analysis: Collected data were entered into MS Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS 25 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: There was a significant increase in mean score for dietary practices and knowledge regarding different food items in the study group. The mean number of servings of fruits and vegetables increased significantly following intervention in the study group (P = 0.001). Significant change in body mass index before and after intervention was found to be in the age group of >60 years (P = 0.041). Conclusions: The study has shown the usefulness of intervention aimed at improving dietary behavior among patients of NCDs. With growing burden, there is a need for such innovative and cost-effective measures for halting the rising burden.