Effectiveness of Dietitian-Involved Lifestyle Interventions in Diabetes Management Among Arab Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Diabetes prevalence is high among Arab populations, where cultural practices present barriers to effective glycemic control. Despite guidelines recommending the involvement of dietitians in diabetes management, evidence of the effectiveness of dietitian-involved interventions in these populations remains limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of dietitian-involved lifestyle interventions among Arab populations with prediabetes or diabetes. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for studies employing experimental and quasi-experimental designs with interventions involving dietitians. All reported outcomes were considered to ensure a comprehensive review. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (registration number CRD42024555668). Results: The meta-analysis showed significant reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels (−0.41; 95% CI: −0.67, −0.16), body mass index (BMI) (−0.28; 95% CI: −0.36, −0.19), and increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-C) (0.60; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.85) compared to usual care. Subgroup analysis indicated variations based on follow-up duration. The certainty of the evidence was low due to heterogeneity and potential biases, emphasizing the need for further high-quality research to confirm these findings. Conclusions: Interventions involving dietitians improve glycemic control and metabolic outcomes among Arab populations. Given the unique cultural challenges in this population, culturally tailored and personalized interventions are essential to overcome barriers and improve diabetes-related outcomes. Future studies should focus on expanding the evidence base, integrating these findings into healthcare policies, and exploring strategies for long-term sustainability and broader application.