Question

Medical Nutrition Therapy

You are working in a community service and have been asked to deliver an education session to young adults (18-25 years) with type 2 diabetes. Those attending have been diagnosed in the last year to three years, struggle with self-management and have had minimal nutritional input. Many will soon commence insulin in addition to lifestyle changes. Discuss the 5 key points that you will cover in your education session (5 marks)

Answer 1

The five key points that should be covered in the education session are :-

• Role of medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle changes including physical activities and exercises in the prevention, management of existing diabetes, and slowing down the rate of development of diabetes complications since overweight and obesity are closely linked to diabetes.
• Awareness creation among the youths regarding the beneficial nutritional interventions in the prevention and self management of diabetes.
• The goals of medical nutrition therapy in the management of diabetes should be achieved under the guidance of registered dietician, knowledgeable and skilled in medical nutrition therapy.
• Nutrition counselling should be sensitive to the personal needs, willingness to changes, and ability to make changes of the individuals with pre diabetes and diabetes.
• Restriction of high calorie, high carbohydrate, and high fatty diet should be focused. Diets should contain higher fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fibres. Regular blood glucose monitoring should be done to determine whether adjustments in foods and meals will be sufficient to achieve blood glucose goals or if medication needs to be considered with medical nutrition therapy.

These are some key points that should be covered in the education session to the young adults with type 2 diabetes.

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