Does the eating match the teaching? Food habits in people with non insulin dependent diabetes

Three-day food records were used to assess the dietary intake of 50 patients with non insulin dependent diabetes; body mass index (BMI) exceeded 25 in 74% and exceeded 30 in 20%. Present nutrient intake was determined by the food compositional analysis package known as SODA III analysis. Two at-risk micronutrients were used as markers of food intake quality, namely calcium and thiamin. Calcium intake prior to diagnosis of diabetes by retrospective questionnaire. Serum and red cell thiamin levels were measured. All patients had received nutrition education. Results showed fat intake less than 35% in 50% of subjects and carbohydrate intake greater than 50% in 18% of subjects. Seventy-two percent of subjects had a saturated fat intake greater than 10%. Cholesterol intake exceeded 300mg in 16% of subjects. Dietary thiamin intake was adequate in 98% and did not correlate with serum or red cell thiamin levels. Only 24% of subjects had an adequate calcium intake. Previous to diagnosis of diabetes, 50% of subjects had had adequate calcium intakes. Calcium intake was related to age, increasing with increasing age (p<0.05) and saturated fat intake (p<0.01). This group had an excess intake of fat and calcium intake was largely inadequate.