An educational model to prepare Indian medical students for providing dietary counseling to patients with metabolic syndrome

Sharma, Saurabh; Yadav, Major Sandeep Kumar; Garg, Sumit; Gupta, Sudhir Kumar

doi:10.22038/fmej.2026.93243.1717

An educational model to prepare Indian medical students for providing dietary counseling to patients with metabolic syndrome

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

saurabh Sharma ¹

Major Sandeep Kumar Yadav ²

Sumit Garg ³

Sudhir Kumar Gupta ¹

¹ Department of Community Medicine, Kalyan Singh Government Medical College, Bulandshahr

² Department of Biochemistry, Kalyan singh Government Medical College, Bulandsahar

³ Department of Physiology, Kalyan Singh Government Medical College, Bulandshahr

10.22038/fmej.2026.93243.1717

Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent condition in India, requiring effective lifestyle and dietary counseling as a cornerstone of management. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an educational model incorporating kitchen classes to prepare Phase III MBBS students to competently counsel patients with metabolic syndrome regarding dietary modification.
Method: A cross-sectional, interventional mixed-method study was conducted among 100 Phase III MBBS students at a medical college in North India. The intervention included didactic lectures, interdisciplinary sessions with anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry departments, dietician-led kitchen classes using pre-recorded cooking demonstrations, and role-play counseling exercises. Thirty students were randomly selected using the chit method for assessment before and after the intervention. Competence was evaluated through Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) scores, analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Open-ended qualitative feedback was analyzed thematically.
Results: Mean OSCE and OSPE scores improved from 13.45 to 14.64 (p = 0.007) and 15.72 to 19.94 (p = 0.03), respectively. Students reported that kitchen classes enhanced understanding of portion sizes, hidden dietary fats and sugars, and practical applicability of nutrition knowledge. Role-play sessions improved confidence and empathy in patient communication. Thematic analysis revealed three domains: integration of theory with practice, improved counseling competence, and positive impact on personal health attitudes.
Conclusion: A multidisciplinary, simulation-based curriculum centered on dietician-led kitchen classes significantly improved medical students’ competence and confidence in dietary counseling for metabolic syndrome and may improve practical nutrition skills.

Keywords

Metabolic syndrome

Medical education

Dietary counseling

Kitchen classes

OSCE

OSPE

Competency-based curriculum

Subjects