title: Assessment of dietary practice among diabetic patients in the United arab emirates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess dietary practices and risk profile (hypertension, obesity, lipid profile and glycemic control) among people with diabetes in Al-Ain District, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  During 2006, we performed a cross-sectional study of diabetic patients attending diabetic outpatient clinics at Tawam Hospital and primary health care centers in Al-Ain District. Subjects completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire, blood pressure, body mass index, percentage body fat and abdominal circumference were measured and recorded and the most recent HbA1c levels and fasting lipid profile were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A sample of 409 diabetic patients was recruited, 50% of whom were illiterate. Only 24% read food labeling. 76% reported being unable to distinguish clearly between low and high carbohydrate index food items and no one reported counting calorie intake. 46% reported that they had never been seen by dietician since their diagnosis. Their overall risk profile, notably body weight, lipid profile and blood pressure, was very unfavorable; more than half of the study sample had uncontrolled hypertension and uncontrolled lipid profile and the majority was overweight (36%) or obese (45%). Abdominal obesity was particularly common (59%). Only 31% had an HbA1c of less than 7%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dietary practices of diabetic patients in the UAE are inadequate and need improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Juma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Al-Kaabi
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Maskari
authors.forename: Hussein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saadi
authors.forename: Bachar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Afandi
authors.forename: Hasratali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Parkar
authors.forename: Nicolaas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nagelkerke
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