Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases
Volume 18, Issue 4 , Pages 278-282, May 2008

Eating habits in elderly diabetic subjects: Assessment in the InCHIANTI Study

  • E. Mannucci

      Affiliations

    • Section of Diabetology, Geriatric Unit, University of Florence, Via delle Oblate 4, 50134 Florence, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +39 055 427 9430; fax: +39 0574 31 895.
    • ,
  • B. Bartali

      Affiliations

    • Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
    • ,
  • R. Molino Lova

      Affiliations

    • Don Gnocchi Foundation, Florence, Italy
    • ,
  • M. Papucci

      Affiliations

    • Don Gnocchi Foundation, Florence, Italy
    • ,
  • F. Lauretani

      Affiliations

    • Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Geriatric Department, Florence, Italy
    • ,
  • M.L. Luisi

      Affiliations

    • Don Gnocchi Foundation, Florence, Italy
    • ,
  • A. Pietrobelli

      Affiliations

    • Pediatric Unit, Verona University Medical School, Verona, Italy
    • ,
  • C. Macchi

      Affiliations

    • Don Gnocchi Foundation, Florence, Italy

Received 10 January 2006; received in revised form 17 December 2006; accepted 29 December 2006. published online 10 May 2007.

Abstract 

Background and aims

Nutritional therapy is a cornerstone of the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess differences in dietary habits between subjects with and without known type 2 diabetes.

Methods and Results

In a sample of 1242 predominantly elderly subjects enrolled in the InCHIANTI study, total energy and macronutrient intake was assessed cross-sectionally using the EPIC self-reported questionnaire. Results were compared in subjects with (N=109) and without known diabetes, and differences were adjusted for age, sex, and reported comorbidities. Subjects with known diabetes reported a significantly lower (p<0.001) total energy and soluble carbohydrate intake in comparison with the rest of the sample (1793±481 vs 2040±624kCal/day, and 66.9±22.3 vs. 93.5±34.9g/day, respectively). Conversely, consumption of total and saturated fats, dietary fibres and proteins was not significantly different.

Conclusion

Known diabetes is associated with a reduction of soluble carbohydrate consumption and total energy intake without any further modification of dietary habits. These data suggest that the diagnosis of diabetes could induce some changes in nutritional style. However, corrections in dietary habits do not appear to be consistent with current guidelines and recommendations.

Keywords: Nutrition, Type 2 diabetes, Elderly

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PII: S0939-4753(07)00003-8

doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2006.12.009

Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases
Volume 18, Issue 4 , Pages 278-282, May 2008

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