Dietary dilemmas in diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Two of the 'f' words summarising predisposition to type 2 diabetes are fixed (family history, age forty years), but the third (fat) can be changed. The diagnosis of diabetes can be the trigger to review lifestyle, 'eat less and walk more' and to lose fat tissue. Initially this is often enough to bring blood glucose into the target range, but later as the metabolic abnormality of type 2 diabetes progresses, oral hypoglycaemic agents will be needed. Nonetheless, lifestyle issues remain important in managing the medical components of the type 2 syndrome (blood glucose, blood pressure, blood fats and blood clotting).


OBJECTIVE
This article uses a case based approach to discuss how a dietician can help patients review and modify their lifestyle.


CONCLUSIONS
A coordinated approach by the general practitioner, dietician and diabetes educator will often help to discover the cause of abnormal blood glucose levels, and assist the patient in normalising them.
Stanton
Connie
C
Diabetes Centre, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia.
Phillips
Pat
P
D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015444:Exercise; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods
D004044:Dietary Proteins