Nutritional Value Assessment and Adequacy of Dietary Intake in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Nutrition therapy is an important component of treatment for type 2 diabetic patients. Despite of strong evidence on the effect of diet therapy on diabetes treatment, changes in dietary intakes are difficult for these patients, and often they do not follow dietary recommendations appropriately. This study was conducted to assess the nutritional value and adequacy dietary intakes, in a group of diabetic patients in fall 1383 (Jan-Feb 2004). Fifty-severn diabetic patients (34 males and 23 females), age range 35-65 years, were recruited for this study. Anthropometric measurements including - at the weight, height and body mass index (BMI), were obtained twice, during a one-month period, beginning and end of the study. Daily nutrient intakes of energy, macronutrients, fiber, vitamin A, Beta Carotene, vitamin E, C, calcium, zinc, magnesium and selenium were assessed by a 24-hour recall questionnaire on four non-consecutive days during the study. The mean for energy intake was less than RDA recommendations in both genders, being significantly higher in males than females (p<0.02). The mean contribution of carbohydrate to total energy (53.4±7.4%), was comparable to RDA recommendations, while energy percentage from protein (15.4±3.2%) was close to the lower range of the recommendations and energy percentage from fat (31.1 ± 6.5%), was higher than the recommendations for a prudent diet. Mean intakes of fiber and micronutrients were less than RDAs. Food intake of these patients did not conform to the RDAs. Diabetic patients need to be educated in order to increase their knowledge, improve attitudes and implement changes in behavior regarding their daily food intake.