According to a doctoral study by Kirsikka Aittola , Master of Science in Health Sciences and Food Science, registered dietitian, the eating skills and diet quality of many people at risk of type 2 diabetes could be improved. Positive attitudes towards food and eating, eating regularly, trying new foods boldly and eating according to feelings of hunger and fullness can help prevent type 2 diabetes. These are the results of the Finnish Stop Diabetes (StopDia) study.
Aittola’s doctoral research at the University of Eastern Finland focused on the effects of these tools, the Eating Skills and the Dietary Index, on weight management and type 2 diabetes prevention.
Eating skills refer to healthy eating habits and a positive attitude towards food. It supports managing feelings of hunger and fullness, eating regularly and trying new foods. The results of the study showed that good eating skills are associated with better diet quality, weight management, insulin sensitivity and HDL cholesterol levels.
The study developed a screening measure of diet quality called the Dietary Index, which measures diet quality for the prevention of type 2 diabetes. The index assesses seven aspects of diet: meal pattern, cereals, fruit and vegetables, fat, fish and meat, dairy products, snacks and energy drinks. The index gives scores according to the quality of the diet and helps to identify areas for improvement.
Digital tools, implemented in partnership with primary care, are a successful lifestyle intervention
The StopDia project, on which the study was based, involved more than 3000 people, all of whom were at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They were invited to participate in a year-long StopDia lifestyle intervention. This was a large-scale study of the impact of lifestyle interventions on diabetes prevention. The intervention groups were offered group lifestyle counselling and use of the BitHabit app or use of the BitHabit app alone.
The digital lifestyle intervention, implemented through the BitHabit app, focused on habit formation theory, promoting behaviour change through repetition. The BitHabit app provided participants with nearly 500 small actions to facilitate the incorporation of individual healthier actions into everyday life towards a healthier lifestyle. Using the app allowed users to be supported in their daily choices and encouraged them to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Digital methods were at the heart of the research. In collaboration with primary health care, the implementation of digital prevention measures was successful. They were well received and improve accessibility of services.
A key finding of the dissertation study was that after a year of lifestyle counselling, participants’ eating skills and diet quality improved significantly. The study shows that eating skills and the Dietary Index are useful tools for preventing type 2 diabetes. With the BitHabit Small Actions app, you can develop your own eating habits. You can also take a free wellbeing survey on our website.
