An apple- mango- egg- or potato a day?

Abstract

Questions of this nature prompted our team to determine dietary perceptions amongst adults with type 2 diabetes to identify areas requiring emphasis during diet teaching. We used questionnaire based interviews to collect perspectives from 400 participants attending the diabetes clinic at a private centerthe Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)(generally speaking, representing high income sector) and public hospital-National Institute Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE)(generally speaking, representing low income sector Karachi, Pakistan). The questionnaire incorporated both closed and open-ended questions. It was designed with the help of a certified nutritionist and diabetologists involved in the care of the patients, incorporating commonly encountered misconceptions and myths, through experience. All interviews were conducted by the same certified clinical nutritionist, from each institute. Consenting subjects were adults (> 18 yrs of age) with type 2 diabetes, presenting for the first time to the diabetes clinic. Fallacies revealed at the interview were rectified then and there by the diabetes educator conducting it.