Food and nutritional risk factors in adults suffering from diabetes mellitus

Background. Diabetes mellitus causes large-scale morbimortality; its appearance is associated with a particular individual's life-style. Objective. Determining the risk factors related to feeding habits and nutritional state, measuring metabolic variables and providing nutrition education for patients suffering diabetes mellitus who have been hospitalised in second level internal medicine facilities. Materials and methods. This was a descriptive, crosssectional study which took place from October 2009 to June 2011; 221 patients aged older than 18 years suffering from diabetes mellitus were included. A survey was applied, food and nutrition counselling given, anthropometry, dynamometry and dietary habits assessed, HbA1c laboratory tests made and lipid profile constructed. Results. 44.1% were males and 55.9% female; average age was 63.6 (13.3 SD). 39.4% had not received counselling from a nutritionist. Anthropometry-dynamometry: 58.9% suffered malnutrition due to excess (pre-obesity and obesity). Significant correlation: BMI and waist circumference midpoint (r=0.750, p=0.000); BMI and body fat (r=0.586, p=0.000); waist circumference midpoint and body fat (r=0.334, p=0.000); mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and muscular strength (r=0.246, p=0.000). Eating habits: 42.3% preferred fried food; low animal protein consumption (12.7%), dairy products (31.8%), fruit (64.7%) and vegetables (57.9%); high starch consumption d (43.4%); 35.3% added sugar, cane sugar (panela) or honey; 18.8% added salt. Each patient was given an educational booklet which was explained to them. Conclusion. Pre-obesity and obesity predominated; they were associated with eating habits which could cause complications regarding diabetes mellitus.