TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessment of dietary practice among diabetic patients in the United Arab Emirates
AU - Al-Kaabi, Juma
AU - Al-Maskari, Fatma
AU - Saadi, Hussein
AU - Afandi, Bachar
AU - Parkar, Hasratali
AU - Nagelkerke, Nicolaas
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - OBJECTIVES: 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.
AB - OBJECTIVES: 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.
KW - Compliance
KW - Diabetes
KW - Diabetes care
KW - Diet
KW - Glycemic control
KW - Obesity
KW - UAE
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U2 - 10.1900/RDS.2008.5.110
DO - 10.1900/RDS.2008.5.110
M3 - Article
C2 - 18795213
AN - SCOPUS:65449175986
SN - 1613-6071
VL - 5
SP - 110
EP - 115
JO - Review of Diabetic Studies
JF - Review of Diabetic Studies
IS - 2
ER -