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Dietary habits in type II diabetes mellitus: how is adherence to dietary recommendations?

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 62, pages 660–664 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To clarify adherence of type II diabetic patients to dietary recommendations.

Subjects and methods:

The dietary habits of a group of 540 patients, with type II diabetes (male 322/female 218, mean age 61±5 years, body mass index (BMI) 29.7±5.2 kg/m2; mean±s.d.) referring to six Italian diabetes centres were evaluated by means of a 3-day diet record (2 workdays, 1 holiday). Diet records were analysed according to Italian food composition tables and compared with the dietary recommendations of the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group of the European Association for the study of Diabetes.

Results:

Calorie intake was 1725±497 kcal (1800 for men, 1610 for women). Mean intake for each nutrient was close to the recommended amount, except for fibre (12/1000 vs 20 g/1000 kcal). Calculating the percentage of patients who complied with each recommendation, the intakes of saturated fat and fibre least reflected the dietary target: in 43% of patients saturated fat was >10% of total calories, in only 6% was fibre intake ⩾20 g/1000 kcal (considered ideal), and in 25% it was ⩾15 g/1000 kcal (acceptable).

Conclusions:

These results indicate that compliance to dietary recommendations is not completely satisfactory, even in Italy. Calorie intake is a bit elevated, given the high BMI of our diabetic population. As to dietary composition, there are two crucial issues: the high intake of saturated fat and – most importantly – the low intake of fibre. All strategies aiming to a proper implementation of guidelines should take these results into due account.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by Fo.ri.SID (Foundation of the Italian Society of Diabetology for the research on diabetes and metabolic diseases) with an unconditional grant by Astrazeneca. We greatly acknolwdge Professor R Giorgino for his effort in promoting and supporting the study and Dr CA Ferrero (St Raffaele Hospital) for his skilful organization of all EQAS stages. We are very much indebted to Professor M Muggeo for his tutorship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy

    A A Rivellese, L Costagliola, L Patti & O Vaccaro

  2. Department of Gerontological Research, Diabetology Unit, INRCA, Ancona, Italy

    M Boemi

  3. Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Diabetes Unit, University of Turin, San Luigi, Gonzaga Hospital, Turin, Italy

    F Cavalot & M Trovati

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    P De Feo

  5. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    R Miccoli

  6. Department of Internal Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Parma University, Parma, Italy

    I Zavaroni

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  1. A A Rivellese
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  2. M Boemi
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  4. L Costagliola
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  5. P De Feo
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  6. R Miccoli
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  7. L Patti
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  8. M Trovati
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  9. O Vaccaro
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On behalf of The Mind.it Study Group(FoRiSID)

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A A Rivellese.

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Rivellese, A., Boemi, M., Cavalot, F. et al. Dietary habits in type II diabetes mellitus: how is adherence to dietary recommendations?. Eur J Clin Nutr 62, 660–664 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602755

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602755

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