Managing type 1 diabetes mellitus in algerian children: the positive impact of diet and physical activity

Fatima Zahra Ghanemi; Zoubida Soualem-Mami; Nouha Benghalem; Fatima Zoha Chenni; Youssouf Kachekouche; Meriem Bekkar; Ratiba Abib

Fatima Zahra Ghanemi Department of Agronomy, Laboratory of Natural Product, University of Abou-Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
Zoubida Soualem-Mami Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Product, University of Abou-Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
Nouha Benghalem Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Natural Product, University of Blida, Hospital of Douera, Algiers, Algeria
Fatima Zoha Chenni Department of Biology, Laboratory of Biotoxicology, University Djilali Liabes, Algeria
Youssouf Kachekouche Department of Biology, Hassiba Benbouali University, Chlef, Algeria
Meriem Bekkar Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Product, University of Abou-Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
Ratiba Abib Department of Biology, Laboratory of Natural Product, University of Abou-Bekr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria

Keywords: healthy diet, physical activity, types 1 diabetes, children, HbA1C

Abstract

Nutritionists recommend that people with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) should engage in physical activity alongside healthy dietary habits. This study was designed to determine the effect of diet and physical activity on T1DM progression in children aged 8 to 15. Young patients with T1DM were enrolled in this quasi-experimental descriptive study at Sebdou and Maghnia hospitals (Tlemcen wilaya, north-west Algeria). The study involved a questionnaire and the prescription of dietary measures and physical exercises. Anthropometric (BMI) and biological (glycaemia and HbA1c) parameters were measured at baseline and after three months of follow-up. Statistical software was used to perform comparison tests at a significance level of p<0.05. Thirty T1DM patients were recruited. The sex ratio was 0.76, with an average age of 12.83±1.98 years. BMI, which was 22.36±5.16 kg/m² at baseline, improved to 21.72±3.71 kg/m² after the experiment. Glycated haemoglobin and glycaemia levels decreased from 9.02%±0.80% and 1.51 g/L±1.007, respectively, at baseline to 7.72%±1.01% and 1.57 g/L±0.41, respectively, at the end of the experiment. Combining drug treatment with a healthy lifestyle and regular monitoring of biological parameters improves the quality of life of diabetic children.