Comparison of energy and nutrient intakes among patients with type 2 diabetes by gender and age groups

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a non-communicable disorder that requires changes in diet, among other aspects of lifestyle, in its management. Patients are normally advised on dietary intakes based on required dietary energy and nutrient intakes to normalise their conditions.

Methods: The cross-sectional study recruited 100 adult type 2 diabetes patients by convenience sampling from Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. The energy and nutrient intakes of patients were measured according to age and gender. The 24-hour recalls on three days per patient were used to access dietary intakes with references to Composition of Foods Commonly Used in Ghana, and the West African Food Composition Table. Meal skipping was noted. Anthropometric, blood pressure and biochemical measurements of patients were taken and related to their meal frequency lifestyle. The comparison of dietary intakes between males and females within age groups was done in reference to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and Estimated Average Requirement (EAR), which are constituents of Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). 

Results: Meal skipping was associated with a larger waste circumference. The mean daily protein intake (P = 0.001) and calcium intake (P = 0.004) of males were significantly higher than those of the females. Similarly, patients less than 60 years of age were more likely to consume more energy and nutrients (except calcium) than their older counterparts, though no significant differences were recorded. Mean quantities of carbohydrate, iron, and vitamin C consumed were above the DRI for both males and females. For dietary fibre, this was true only for females. The DRI for other nutrients was not met. For respondents <60 years, 45.5 %, 68.6 % and 72.7 % of males met their RDAs for protein, iron and vitamin C respectively while 41.7 %, 5.6 % and 80.6 % of their female counterparts met their RDA for these nutrients. For respondents ≥ 60 years, 46.7 %, 80 % and 66.7 % of males vs. 31.6 %, 63.2 %, and 92.1 % of females met their RDAs for protein, iron and vitamin C respectively. Only 2.8% of females < 60 years and 6.7 % of females ≥ 60 years met the RDA for vitamin E, while no males did. While 52.8 % of females < 60 years and 47.4% of those ≥ 60 years respectively met their RDAs for fibre, only 40 % males < 60 years met their RDA for fibre.  All respondents met the RDA for carbohydrate except 2.6 % of females ≥ 60 years. For vitamin A, apart from 2.8 % of females < 60 years, no respondent met the RDA and for calcium none did.

Conclusion:  Both males and females had mean intakes of carbohydrate, iron, and vitamin C in excess of their DRI. The situation was problematic for other nutrients. Public and personal health and nutrition education should be intensified to promote adequate nutrient intakes among both male and female and younger and older age groups in diabetes patients in Ghana.